Oxlade-Chamberlain took time out from England’s preparations for their upcoming back-to-back 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ qualifiers against San Marino and Montenegro to visit the troops who are equally busy themselves preparing for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. This May will see the Royal Engineers start a six month tour of duty away from family and friends, where they will be responsible for coordinating all engineering support for UK armed forces across Afghanistan.

During part of his visit a specialist explosive instructor explained the serious threat posed by IEDs and how the military go about finding and eliminating them. He then kitted Alex with the equipment used to find IEDs, including a specialist metal detector, showed him how to use it and then put him to the test by seeing if he could find a simulated bomb. He passed!

The British Forces Foundation boosts the morale of servicemen and women on the frontline and in operational theatres all over the world, primarily through providing high profile entertainment acts. Through their partnership with the England Footballers Foundation, the charity will now also benefit from extra time donated by Team England players to lift the spirits of those who are serving the country.

Speaking about the partnership, Oxlade-Chamberlain said:

“It’s been humbling to come here today to meet the people who serve our country and do a difficult and dangerous job in order to keep us all safe. On behalf of the entire squad, I wish them well on their deployment and our thoughts will be with their friends and families who remain at home.”

Mark Cann, Chief Executive of The British Forces Foundation, said: “The British Forces Foundation is delighted to be a partner of the England Footballers Foundation. This association with the England football team provides an important link to home and morale, especially when away from family and friends.”

“Working together we hope to demonstrate the England player’s support for our Armed Forces and in doing so thank them for the superb job they do worldwide. I am so grateful to Alex and all the England players for acknowledging and supporting the work, commitment and sacrifice of the men and women serving in our Armed Forces.”