Marouane Helps Raise Christmas Smiles

Belgian sends festive wish to troops in Camp Bastion.

Marouane Fellaini has lent his support to a campaign dedicated to raising a smile amongst troops in Camp Bastion this Christmas.

The Blues midfielder has joined a growing band of celebrities photographed with a sign reading “#Smile Camp Bastion” to cheer up Armed Forces personnel over Christmas.

Presenters Ant and Dec, forces sweetheart Katherine Jenkins, Olympian Jonathan Edwards, Sir Clive Woodward, Mayor of London Boris Johnson and a host of other stars have also lent their support.

The campaign has been initiated by Zoey Peace of Cambridgeshire, whose soldier boyfriend is currently based in Helmand.

To help her over the heartache at them being apart for Christmas, Zoey began asking people to tweet ‘#SmileCampBastion’ on Twitter in a display of support for servicemen and servicemen who are away from the families at Christmas time.

The campaign quickly captured the attention of thousands of people and Fellaini was keen to show his support.

He said: “This is a great project that will make a difference to the people serving in Afghanistan at Christmas. There are Evertonians spending Christmas away from their families and we want them to know that they have our support.”

To find out more about the project or to make a donation to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SAFA) or Forces Childrens’ Trust, visit facebook.com/militarysmiles.