In 2011, while UK Armed Forces were deployed in Afghanistan, Gareth Malone arrived at military bases in Chivenor and Plymouth to film the TV programme “The Choir: Military Wives” which recorded the creation of two choirs of military wives. Those choirs, galvanised by the support from each other whilst husbands were away, unexpectedly enjoyed amazing success when they came together to record 'Wherever You Are'. The ladies created an unprecedented level of public empathy for military wives and girlfriends, consequently shot to Number 1 in the UK charts and raised over £500,000 for military charities SSAFA and the Royal British Legion.
Encouraged by Gareth and actively assisted by other supporters, including SSAFA, the Royal British Legion, Decca and 20:20 Television, the concept of a Foundation, to act as an umbrella organisation for all military wives choirs, was born.
