:: Ideal Homes Celebrities Draw the Crowds 2011 ::
Celebrities draw the crowd for Ideal Homes for Heroes Appeal
Over the weekend Comedian Jason Manford, TV presenter Amanda Lamb, Interior Designer Julia Kendell from DIY SOS, Tommy Walsh of 'Ground Force' and Billy Byrne 'DIY SOS' were amongst the celebrities supporting The Ideal Home Show's charity partnership with ABF The Soldiers' Charity.
This year celebrity supporters of the appeal came out to raise awareness of the appeal and it's ambitious target of £150,000. Media 10, the show's organisers will again donate 50p from every ticket sold during the seventeen days of the show which takes place from the 11th – 27th March 2011.
Comedian Jason Manford, Amanda Lamb and DIY SOS Interior designer Julia Manford drew the crowds at the official launch on Friday 11th March as did celebrity builder of Ground Force fame Tommy Walsh and 'DIY SOS' Electrician Billy Byrne and on Saturday 12th at Troops Day, the special tribute to the Armed Forced, as the crowds descended on Earls Court.
"The Ideal Homes for Heroes Appeal made such an impressive start last year and allowed us to give practical help to 152 soldiers and their families. With the public's continued support, our partnership with the Ideal Home Show will go from strength to strength in 2011 and allow us to be there for more soldiers, former soldiers and their families." said Major General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter, Chief Executive of The Soldiers' Charity.
The Ideal Homes for Heroes Appeal in 2011 will continue to help with vital home adaptations and improvements, general housing needs and the homelessness of those who have suffered injuries, including some severe, in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Last year the Appeal raised £102,000 and assisted 152 serving and former soldiers. The support was a wide ranging and included home adaptations to support them remaining in their own homes, helping them to overcome hardship, and moving on from unemployment and homelessness.
The Ideal Home Show, now in its 103rd year, has become a national institution, as the UK’s number one consumer home show. The 'Ideal Homes for Heroes Appeal' retraces the shows heritage, back to the 1920's, when, after the First World War, the show launched its Ideal (Workers) Homes competition. This competition was in line with the 1920's housing act which stated that the government would provide adequate, 'Homes Fit For Heroes' to reward soldiers, munitions workers and their families with better standards of living.
The Ideal Home Show runs from 11th –27th March at London's Earls Court. Tickets can be either booked online or by calling the Ticket Hotline on 0844 415 4144. Group bookings can be made by calling the Groups Hotline on 0871 230 5581, or for further information about the show and to purchase tickets online visit the website www.idealhomeshow.co.uk
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