Chris Simpkins, Director General of The Royal British Legion, said:

"Today is the first anniversary of the 'historic breakthrough' announced by the Prime Minister - a commitment to write the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant into law. To his and Parliament's credit, the principles are now enshrined in the Armed Forces Act 2011. One of the principles demands that, in certain limited circumstances, special treatment is given to members of our Armed Forces. If those whose lives are irreparably altered by Service - such as those seriously injured who have lost limbs or sight in Iraq or Afghanistan - do not qualify for such treatment, it begs the question 'who does?'.  Such personnel and their families will continue to suffer the effects of their injuries as a result of Service for the rest of their lives. Special treatment in the provision of benefits in recognition of their suffering as a result of their Service is not an added luxury but, rather, an obligation we owe.

"Having your leg blown off and having to wear an artificial limb can never be preferable to having a normal, healthy limb. Focusing on functionality fails to take into account the long-term trauma suffered and the sacrifice made, not to mention the lifelong fluctuations in pain and mobility that accompany limb loss. This issue goes to the heart of the Armed Forces Covenant and how we, as a nation, recognise the unique sacrifices our injured Service personnel have made for us. We call on the Government, who so recently affirmed their commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant by way of the Armed Forces Act 2011, to ensure that our injured heroes are treated as they deserve to be. The Armed Forces Covenant must be honoured."

Taken from the personal experience of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel involved, 'The Two Worlds of Charlie F.' is a darkly comic, authentic and uplifting tale of survival performed by those who were there.

"Powerfully affecting - Gripping. The authenticity of verbatim drama and the saltiness of barracks-room humour with the finesse of something more lyrical. 5 stars."   The Telegraph

All proceeds from the sale of tickets go to The Royal British Legion and The Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust

Hay Festival - 1 June 2012
Hay-on-Wye, Wales
Owen Sheers and Friends - The Two Worlds of Charlie F.
Friday 1 June 2012, 5:15pm
Venue: Big Tent
Event 21

Click here for more information.

Taken from the personal experience of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel involved, 'The Two Worlds of Charlie F.' is a darkly comic, authentic and uplifting tale of survival performed by those who were there.

"Powerfully affecting - Gripping. The authenticity of verbatim drama and the saltiness of barracks-room humour with the finesse of something more lyrical. 5 stars."   The Telegraph

All proceeds from the sale of tickets go to The Royal British Legion and The Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust

London - 6-8 September 2012 
Venue and performance times to be confirmed 

Click here for more information.

Taken from the personal experience of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel involved, 'The Two Worlds of Charlie F.' is a darkly comic, authentic and uplifting tale of survival performed by those who were there.

"Powerfully affecting - Gripping. The authenticity of verbatim drama and the saltiness of barracks-room humour with the finesse of something more lyrical. 5 stars."   The Telegraph

All proceeds from the sale of tickets go to The Royal British Legion and The Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust

Edinburgh - 7-11 August 2012
The Pleasance Grand, Pleasance Courtyard, 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9TJ
Box Office 0131 556 6550
Tuesday - Saturday 1.45pm
Press Viewing Tuesday 7 August 1.45pm
Tickets £12.50 Tues -Thurs £15 Fri - Sat
Concessions Senior Citizens/Students/PRU Tues - Thurs £10. Fri - Sat £12.50

Click here for more information.

Taken from the personal experience of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel involved, 'The Two Worlds of Charlie F.' is a darkly comic, authentic and uplifting tale of survival performed by those who were there.

"Powerfully affecting - Gripping. The authenticity of verbatim drama and the saltiness of barracks-room humour with the finesse of something more lyrical. 5 stars."   The Telegraph

All proceeds from the sale of tickets go to The Royal British Legion and The Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust

Cardiff - 25, 26 & 28 July 2012
The Sherman Cymru Theatre, Senghennydd Road, Cardiff CF24 4YE
Box Office: 029 2064 6900
Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday 7.30pm
Saturday Matinee 2.30pm
Press Night Wednesday 25 July 7.30pm
Tickets £15 - £22
Concessions Senior Citizens, Students £2 off. Under 25's Half Price.

Click here for more information.

Taken from the personal experience of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel involved, 'The Two Worlds of Charlie F.' is a darkly comic, authentic and uplifting tale of survival performed by those who were there.

"Powerfully affecting - Gripping. The authenticity of verbatim drama and the saltiness of barracks-room humour with the finesse of something more lyrical. 5 stars."   The Telegraph

All proceeds from the sale of tickets go to The Royal British Legion and The Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust

Birmingham - 19-21 July 2012
New Alexander Theatre, Station Street, Birmingham B5 4DS
Box Office: 0844 871 7627
Thursday - Saturday 7.30pm
Saturday Matinee 2.30pm
Press Night Thursday 19 July 7.30pm
Tickets £13.50, £18.50, £28.50
Concessions PRU £10, Senior citizens £12.50, Students £10, ATG Theatre Club members £3 off.

Click here for more information.

The Bravo 22 Company will tour the production to The New Alexandra Theatre, Birmingham, The Sherman Cymru Theatre, Cardiff in July, The Pleasance Grand as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August and finally return to London's West End in early September.

Under the artistic auspices of patron Trevor Nunn, and with the support of project ambassador Ray Winstone and patron General Sir David Richards, Chief of Defence Staff, the Bravo 22 Company crafted a production which received five star reviews and full house standing ovations from a star-studded audience when it debuted for two performances at The Theatre Royal Haymarket on 22 January 2012.

Following the first performances, Ray Winstone commented:
"I am so proud and overwhelmed. It is the most moving play I've seen for a long, long time. The public should get behind this and be part of something unforgettable."

The production, which was born out of a collaborative project between The Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust, The Royal British Legion and Defence Recovery Capability, has the aim of using a theatrical learning environment to aid recovery, build new skills and offer opportunities to those members of the Armed Forces transitioning into civilian life.

Commenting on the origins of the project and the success of the production and forthcoming tour Masterclass Creative Producer Alice Driver said:
"This all started 15 months ago as an idea inspired by the bravery of a wounded soldier I met in Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham. The Bravo 22 Company was born out of this meeting; at its heart was the recovery of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel by providing a unique work placement within a theatre company. By being part of this process they would not only immerse themselves into a new industry but benefit from the effects of this theatre model: increased confidence, self-awareness and ultimately allowing them to step away from their injury."

The Legion's Director of Health and Welfare, Sue Freeth, said of the charity's involvement:
"The Legion is proud to be funding this very innovative and unique recovery project for members of the Armed Forces community. The project has demonstrated the huge impact a creative and collaborative process can have on building self-esteem and motivation, and has also offered an insight into a different industry, opening doors to new opportunities for those involved.

"We will continue to channel funds where needed into projects like this, to support Service personnel recovering from life-changing injuries, and their families, today and for the rest of their lives."

An independent evaluation to assess the effectiveness of the project concluded that the original project aims and intentions have been surpassed. In interviews conducted during the process and post-performance, the participants spoke of gains in confidence and motivation, feeling calmer and less angry, of building lasting friendships and gaining a valuable insight into an industry outside of the Armed Forces. Theatre and third sector based work placements have been secured for members of the Company following on from the success of this first phase.

Cast member Bombardier Gareth Crabbe (34), is a soldier in the Royal Artillery who served in Bosnia, Kosovo and Iraq and was injured in 2007 whilst on exercise commanding a 105mm light gun which left him needing spinal disc replacement. Speaking of his involvement he said:
"I really enjoyed working in the positive environment of the theatre, making new friends, learning new skills and being with others who understood what I was going through. The whole company is incredibly excited about reliving this amazing experience and taking the play on tour to share our experiences with as many people as possible."

Colonel Charlie Knaggs OBE on behalf of the Defence Recovery Capability said:
"The Ministry of Defence was delighted with the inspiration and support that Bravo 22 has delivered. The experiences and subsequent opportunities that wounded, injured and sick personnel have received in support of their individual recovery journey has been extraordinary. I am sure that the next stages of this project will be equally exciting for all the Service personnel involved."

Owen Sheers, the writer of 'The Two Worlds of Charlie F.', producer Alice Driver and members of the cast will appear at the Hay Festival of Literature on Friday 1 June to discuss the play with Alan Yentob. The discussion will preview clips of the forthcoming BBC1 series 'Imagine' which features the Bravo 22 Company and the creative process behind the production.

Notes to Editors:

www.bravo22company.com
The independent evaluation was produced by members of the Theatre Studies Department under the guidance of Professor Helen Nicholson at the University of Royal Holloway, London.

The Play Synopsis - 'The Two Worlds of Charlie F.'
by Owen Sheers. Directed by Stephen Rayne. Composed by Jason Carr.

"What do they teach us in training? Adapt and overcome." Charlie F.

'The Two Worlds of Charlie F.' is a soldier's view of Service, injury and recovery. Moving from the war in Afghanistan, through the dream world of morphine-induced hallucinations to the physio rooms of Headley Court, the play explores the consequences of injury, both physical and psychological, and its effects on others as the soldiers fight to win the new battle for survival at home.

Taken from the personal experience of wounded, injured and sick Service personnel involved, 'The Two Worlds of Charlie F.' is a darkly comic, authentic and uplifting tale of survival performed by those who were there.

"Powerfully affecting - Gripping. The authenticity of verbatim drama and the saltiness of barracks-room humour with the finesse of something more lyrical. 5 stars."   The Telegraph

All proceeds from the sale of tickets go to The Royal British Legion and The Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust

The Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust
Masterclass is a small charity based at the beautiful Theatre Royal Haymarket, the last independent, family run theatre in the West End. Giving access to the historic building and using theatre as a vehicle for development are two aspirations at the very core of the charity.

Masterclass runs a year round programme of free talks, workshops, special projects, career advice sessions, Apprentice schemes and creative opportunities for 17-30 year olds. This hugely successful programme has supported over 60,000 young people. www.masterclass.org.uk

The Defence Recovery Capability
The Defence Recovery Capability is an MOD led initiative in partnership with Help for Heroes and The Royal British Legion alongside other service charities and agencies to ensure the wounded, injured and sick personnel have access to the key services and resources needed to help them either return to duty or make a smooth transition into an appropriately skilled civilian life. The Defence Recovery Capability is delivered cross the Defence community by the combined efforts of the Services and the Service charities responding to carefully tailored Individual Recovery Plans setting out a recovery pathway. Each Service (Royal Navy, Army & Royal Air Force) cares for its own wounded, injured and sick: personnel participating in this production are from the Royal Navy and Army. More information.

Director - Stephen Rayne
Stephen began his career as an actor before becoming a theatre director. As a director he started at York Theatre Royal and the Cambridge Theatre Company before working in the West End. For the Royal Shakespeare Company, his credits include The Plantagenets, Hamlet, Twelfth Night, Hero and Leander and All God's Chillun Got Wings. For the National Theatre, as associate to Trevor Nunn and co-director, his credits include Not About Nightingales,The Cherry Orchard, Mutabilitie, The Relapse, An Enemy of the People and The Coast of Utopia. 

Author - Owen Sheers
Owen wrote the script for The Passion, a 72-hour site specific production in Port Talbot starring and co-directed by Michael Sheen, as well as the novella based on the play, entitled The Gospel of Us. His first novel, Resistance, was adapted into a film in November 2011, for which he has co-written the screenplay. Sheers' other writing credits include the novella White Ravens, the award-winning novel The Dust Diaries, the radio play If I Should Go Away and the play Unicorns, almost- developed by the Old Vic New Voices project. He has also written two poetry collections as well as written and presented the BBC4 TV series A Poet's Guide to Britain and Battlefield Poet: Keith Douglas.

For further media information please contact:
Becky Warren, The Royal British Legion
E: rwarren@britishlegion.org.uk T: 020 3207 2239 M: 07824 301 072

Anoushka Warden, The Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust
E: anoushka@masterclass.org.uk T: 020 7389 9660

Listings Information:

Age Guidance 16+ The performance contains strong language

Birmingham - 19-21 July 2012
New Alexander Theatre, Station Street, Birmingham B5 4DS
Box Office: 0844 871 7627
Thursday - Saturday 7.30pm
Saturday Matinee 2.30pm
Press Night Thursday 19 July 7.30pm
Tickets £13.50, £18.50, £28.50
Concessions PRU £10, Senior citizens £12.50, Students £10, ATG Theatre Club members £3 off.

Cardiff - 25, 26 & 28 July 2012
The Sherman Cymru Theatre, Senghennydd Road, Cardiff CF24 4YE
Box Office: 029 2064 6900
Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday 7.30pm
Saturday Matinee 2.30pm
Press Night Wednesday 25 July 7.30pm
Tickets £15 - £22
Concessions Senior Citizens, Students £2 off. Under 25's Half Price.

Edinburgh - 7-11 August 2012
The Pleasance Grand, Pleasance Courtyard, 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9TJ
Box Office 0131 556 6550
Tuesday - Saturday 1.45pm
Press Viewing Tuesday 7 August 1.45pm
Tickets £12.50 Tues -Thurs £15 Fri - Sat
Concessions Senior Citizens/Students/PRU Tues - Thurs £10. Fri - Sat £12.50

London - 6-8 September 2012 
Venue and performance times to be confirmed 

Hay Festival - 1 June 2012
Hay-on-Wye, Wales
Owen Sheers and Friends - The Two Worlds of Charlie F.
Friday 1 June 2012, 5:15pm
Venue: Big Tent
Event 21
More information

Chris Highnam, skipper of the Stenfis, says: "he Along the route we expect to have at least one injured Serviceperson on board each day as well as sponsored crew, who will assist in the sail and collect for the Legion at the various landfall ports and 'sailpast' towns."

The event provides unique sponsorship opportunities combining support for the Legion and our Armed Services with exposure to a wide audience as Stenfis progresses around the south west peninsular during the peak summer holiday period.

There will be publicity and collections organised at each port of call with Rotary, 41 Club and Royal British Legion volunteers participating. The initiative is being promoted through local and regional media and should attract TV and radio coverage.

Details of sponsorship opportunities can be found here. We do hope that you will feel able to support this most worthwhile cause and the invaluable work of The Royal British Legion.

Visit www.sail4poppies.co.uk for more information.

The ride is some 700 miles which they will complete in six days ending on the 31 May at RNAS Culdrose, and of course culminating in a well deserved beer, or two! 

To follow and support the riders they will be in the following areas:

26 May            Night stop Carlisle

27 May            Warrington

28 May            Worchester

29 May            Taunton

30 May            Launceston

31 May            RNAS Culdrose (Helston)       

For more information and to sponsor the riders go to www.rescueriders.co.uk .

The report, Unsung Heroes, also calls for urgent research into alcohol misuse, domestic violence and the impact of mental health problems on the partners and children of Service personnel and veterans.

The report, which is supported by The Royal British Legion and the veteran's mental health charity Combat Stress, argues that while progress is being made to address the psychological needs of Service personnel and veterans themselves, the practical and emotional impact on their partners and children must also be taken into consideration.

Unsung Heroes examines the services already in place for families and identifies areas where more evidence, about both the need for services to support families and the effectiveness of these services is needed.

Sean Duggan, chief executive at Centre for Mental Health said today: "Our most pressing concern is the paucity of UK research into the emotional needs of Armed Forces families on the 'home front'; which may mean that the needs of many families are going unmet.

"There is a very substantial body of research that highlights concern about the levels of alcohol use within the UK Armed Forces, yet little evidence about the impact of alcohol misuse on their families. It's vital that this kind of research is undertaken as soon as possible and that we evaluate the existing support to ensure that Service families get the help they need."

Sue Freeth, Director of Health and Welfare at the Royal British Legion said:
"The Royal British Legion welcomes this latest research which is vital in being able to meet the needs of in-Service and ex-serving personnel, but also their families. These findings are supported by our own case work experience. Ensuring families receive joined up information, advice care, and support so they do not experience any disadvantage is vital."

Peter Poole, Director of Strategy, Policy & Performance at Combat Stress said:
"Combat Stress specialises in working with veterans with mental health problems - providing crucial treatment, supporting the veteran in his or her recovery and helping them return to normal life. The report recognises the vital role that families can play in aiding their loved one's treatment and recovery from mental ill-health and in providing a stable home environment for serving personnel between deployments."

The Unsung Heroes report is available online here.