11 October 2012

TOP COMPANIES SUPPORT NEW ARMED FORCES DISCOUNT SERVICE

Some of the biggest names on the High Street and internet have given their support to a new discount service for the Armed Forces and veterans.

Companies including Vodafone, KFC, Vision Express, Austin Reed and Vue Cinemas have pledged to offer generous discounts for personnel and their families in recognition of military service, in the new Defence Discount Service (DDS) announced by the Defence Secretary Philip Hammond on October 7th.

The DDS launched with a website offering online discounts from High Street companies and businesses who wish to give their support to the Armed Forces community. In the near future, we will launch a privilege card making it even easier to access discounts in stores and online. Hundreds of companies have already signed up with offers on everything from shopping and holidays to cars and restaurants.

The scheme is available to both serving personnel and veterans and is being launched in time for the Christmas shopping period. It is free for companies to offer a discount and the MOD encourages any, including local and small businesses, to come forward and make a difference to their Armed Forces community.

Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said: “We owe a great debt to the members of the Armed Forces and this new Defence Discount Service is an opportunity for businesses to show their gratitude and support. This is just the start and I urge companies large and small, national or local, to come forward over the coming months.”

Members of the Armed Forces community can be kept up to date on new offers via the website www.defencediscountservice.co.uk, Facebook (www.facebook.com/defencediscountservice) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/discounts_mod)

Director of the Defence Discount Service, Tom Dalby, said: “In the United States the provision of discounts for the Armed Forces is more wide spread and is part of the recognition of the special role the military have in the community. We wish to develop a similar system in the UK. It is a great chance for local communities to embrace the Armed Forces and show that they value the great work that they have done for our country.”

Christian Cull, Director of Corporate Communications, Vodafone UK said “As one of Britain’s biggest companies, we are proud to support our troops. We want to play our part by helping these brave men and women keep in touch with their loved ones.”

Martin Shuker, Managing Director, KFC UK & Ireland said: “We’re proud to be part of the Defence Discount Service. Every KFC in every community will be part of the scheme, and we look forward to welcoming servicemen and women and their families to our restaurants.”