RAF personnel have a treat in store this month - a free tin of special RAF tea from The Rare Tea Company's founder Henrietta Lovell

The nation's favourite tea lady, whose company created a bespoke Royal Air Force Battle of Britain blend, is giving away 4,000 vouchers for the £5 tins of tea - £20,000 worth - this month.

She is sending 100 vouchers to 38 RAF Stations - 200 to Brize Norton as it's such a large base - for Station Commanders and Media and Communications Officers to distribute at their discretion.

Henrietta said: "The vouchers are for serving personnel, but if a lovely veteran wants one, I'm sure the RAF won't mind. It's their tea to distribute how they want."

Upmarket supermarket chain Waitrose volunteered to help with the scheme so the vouchers are being sent to stations within a 30-mile radius of one of its stores.

Henrietta added: "There aren't any branches in Scotland so we will have to do something else for RAF personnel based there."

She said the idea for free tea came after her company was featured on the front page of the BBC's website on Christmas Day and a feature on Radio 4's InBusiness Programme about The Rare Tea Company was broadcast worldwide.

"In light of all this kindness we thought we should do something kind. The business of kindness is something that has inspired so many people - business isn't all about profit margins."

When Henrietta and her team served more than 4000 cups of their special brew to RAF personnel and veterans at the Bomber Command Memorial unveiling last summer she was shocked to discover many didn't know they had their very own 'tea for heroes', which raises money for RAF charities.

She said: "Everyone was surprised by how amazing the tea was and astounded that it was theirs."

Top comedian Alexander Armstrong stars in some exclusive short films for Henrietta's Battle of Britain blend. To view the film visit: http://www.rareteacompany.com/.

Editor: Tracey Allen

RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2013

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