25 million portions of chicken tikka massala are being eaten in the UK every year, and we also consume a whopping 4 million poppadoms a week. No wonder curry is said to be the nation’s favourite food!

Since 2007, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity has made April Big Curry month, and they invite you to support them in a fiery fundraising event that is truly second to naan!

The Soldiers’ Charity carries out vital work to support soldiers, former soldiers and their families. The organization is fully dependent on voluntary donations. Every week The Soldiers’ Charity receives more calls for help from soldiers and their families and has recently seen a 30% year on year rise in applications from soldiers who have taken part in previous and current conflicts in Afghanistan.

{mosimage}The Big Curry is an opportunity for supporters of The Soldiers’ Charity to have fun whilst raising much needed funds. Curry is the nation’s favourite cuisine and our soldiers certainly love it too. It’s thanks to the Army that curry has become so popular in the UK. During British India in the 18th and 19th centuries, some 20,000 soldiers were stationed across the sub-continent.

The cooks of the East India Company developed anglicised versions of the Indian dishes they were learning to enjoy, and on redeployment back to Britain they kept curry on the menu – something that even today is still a weekly ritual in messes.

Celebrities are also getting behind the Big Curry, urging the public to get involved and providing easy to follow recipes to help you get started. Army supporter Gordon Ramsay has provided his favourite curry recipe for people to make at home and raise money for The Soldiers’ Charity: “I understand the great importance of the help given by The Soldiers’ Charity to our soldiers. To Army men, women and their families The Soldiers Charity provide vital support at times when there is no one else to turn to. I am proud to endorse the brilliant Big Curry initiative and the very worthwhile work of The Soldiers Charity.”

Hosting a Big Curry couldn’t be easier. Just pick a date and time, send out your invitations, and then get cooking! Whether you are going to an event at your local restaurant or holding your own event at home, at work or in barracks, please visit www.bigcurry.org where you can download our fundraising pack and get recipe ideas, hints and tips to help your event go with a bang and advice on fundraising.

{mosimage}By getting involved with the Big Curry you will be supporting people like Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson from the 7 Para Royal Horse Artillery. Ben has been described by medical experts as ‘the most wounded soldier to survive his injuries’, but his determination to recover has humbled and inspired everyone that’s met him. A landmine explosion in Afghanistan meant he lost both his legs and suffered brain damage that left him unable to speak; something which he has now overcome.

The Soldiers’ Charity has given a grant to buy a high tech multi gym to allow him the chance to continue his physio at home. "The help I have had has been vital and has really helped me to recover” he said. “It is the most worthy cause I can imagine.”

His mother Diane said “I’m in no doubt that without the gym he would not be standing, or even thinking about starting to walk.”

The Soldiers’ Charity are delighted that we are able to help amazing people like Ben Parkinson and with your efforts we can help those who risk everything for our country.

For further information on The Soldiers Charity or the Big Curry please visit www.soldierscharity.org or www.bigcurry.org . Enquiries can be made at elawson@soldierscharity.org or 0845 241 4813