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HRH The Prince of Wales lends support to the World's Biggest Curry Lunch

His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales joined leading City figures and serving members of the Army at the World's Biggest Curry Lunch, a fundraising event in aid of the ABF. The event which was held on Thursday 24 April at Guildhall Yard, London, was hosted by The Lord Mayor of the City of London Alderman David Lewis and raised over £120,000 in much needed support for the Charity's work supporting serving and former soldiers and their families.

The lunch was attended by over 950 including the Chief of the General Staff General Sir Richard Dannett, the ABF's Chief Executive Major General Sir Evelyn Webb-Carter, veterans Sgt David "Paddy" Caldwell, LCpl Martyn Compton, David Loftus and talented young singer Kathryn Nutbeem.

"We in the City of London Corporation have supported our troops for centuries and with the World's Biggest Curry Lunch, I know that the women and men of our Regulars and Reserves will face the privations of their calling knowing that, if needed, the ABF will have the ability to support them and their families".

Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman David Lewis

The World's Biggest Curry Lunch fundraising event arose out of the increasing need for support for soldiers, in part as a result of recent operational casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan. In October 2007 the ABF launched the Current Operations Fund for those risking so much in Iraq and Afghanistan, many of whom will live with the physical and psychological consequences of the current conflicts for many years and will call upon the ABF in years to come for support.

Former Paratrooper Sgt David "Paddy" Caldwell who received help from the ABF, attended the event. He was directing mortar fire from a rooftop in Sangin, Afghanistan in August 2006 when a Taliban bullet passed through his neck. He received treatment at Birmingham's Selly Oak hospital but was paralysed from the neck down and told his chances of recovery were slim. The AK47 bullet severely damaged his spine, sending it into shock and causing an injury called C4 Incomplete. The ABF funded an adapted car, to enable him to lead as independent a life as possible. He comments, "The vehicle that I'm getting gives me a bit more normality because I can actually drive the wheelchair in through the side and into where the passenger side used to be."

"We are delighted with the launch of this event and the support it has attracted, average casualty rates for battalions in Afghanistan and Iraq can be as high as 14 percent and income from events like this is vital in our work supporting Army personnel and former soldiers who are in need. The World's Biggest Curry Lunch is an annual fundraising event which raises awareness of our work and brings in valuable income. Lord Mayor Alderman David Lewis's support has been invaluable in helping ABF engage with the City community."

Sian Mexsom, ABF Director of Central Fundraising and Marketing

The aim of the ABF's annual World's Biggest Curry Lunch initiative is to invite everyone across the UK to host a curry lunch or dinner for family, friends and colleagues, in return for a donation to the ABF. The initiative is supported by personalities including Chef Gary Rhodes, England rugby player Josh Lewsey, TV Presenter Fern Britton, actor Ewan McGregor and famous author, curry connoisseur and founder of the Curry Club, Pat Chapman, who are all backing the event and urging people to get involved.

Visit the World's Biggest Curry Lunch website.

For media enquiries please call Ben McFadyean at the ABF on 0845 241 4826.