Food for heroes as pub salutes troops

A dedicated licensee is bidding to get pubs across the country serving the same meal at the same time on Remembrance Sunday to help raise money for injured soldiers.

Rick Bailey, licensee at the Old Chestnut in Redhill, Surrey, usually runs the pub as 100 per cent wet-led, but is making an exception next month.

"The aim is get something running across the country and, like the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the idea is to have the same menu served at the same time from pub to pub," he said.

Rick and his regulars will create a menu from the Help for Heroes charity's Food for Heroes cookbook on November 8, Remembrance Sunday.

Customers will be charged £20, with all money raised going to the soldiers' charity.

Rick, who has customers who have served in the forces, is furious at what he sees as "an appalling lack of aftercare" for troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

"These servicemen and women go out and put their lives on the line for us in some very dangerous places and get very little in return," he said.

"We decided to try and do something about that."

And those attending the Old Chestnut will be treated to a Heroes Pie (steak and ale) followed by apple crumble. The team have yet to decide on the starter.

"We don't generally do food so we wanted to do good, straightforward pub grub," said Rick.

"I've no idea how many will turn up or how much we will raise but the idea has been well received by the regulars and they're looking forward to doing their bit."

For more information or to get involved email dinner4heroes@hotmail.co.uk