Southport gears up for Armed Forces Day on 24 June

With a fortnight to go the North West gears up for Armed Forces Day on 24 June

With just 14 days to go, towns and cities across the North West of England are preparing to mobilise to show their appreciation for the UK’s Armed Forces.

Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to say thank you to the entire Armed Forces community for the outstanding work they do; Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and women, both Regulars and Reservists, Cadets and veterans.

In its ninth year, Armed Forces Day is the national day dedicated to honouring the work of the Armed Forces. From fighting Daesh in the Middle East, to guarding the UK’s skies and seas, the UK’s Armed Forces will be saluted at a record 300+ events across the UK and at the National Event, which this year takes place in Liverpool.

Events will take place across the North West, including a march past and display of military vehicles in Manchester, three games of Armed Forces rugby in Warrington and a cadet marching display in Bolton.

During the national event in Liverpool a military village of static displays, machines, equipment and exhibitions, physical training and motorbike displays will be on show. Ahead of the event in Liverpool, football-mad sailors, soldiers and airmen met local footballing heroes Liverpool’s Gary McAllister and Everton’s Graham Stuart.

Also encouraging people to mark Armed Forces Day were the crew of the new aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, the vessel which is still under construction is affiliated with the maritime city of Liverpool.

Commander Bernie Thompson, Chief of Staff at the Naval Regional Headquarters in Liverpool said: “The Armed Forces have strong historic and current links with the North West region and the city of Liverpool. This year’s Armed Forces Day National Event provides a great opportunity for us to engage with the public, who give us such tremendous support, and for the public to find out more about our kit and our people. Those currently serving in the Regular and Reserve Armed Forces, along with veterans and cadets, are eagerly looking forward to meeting the many thousands of people who will be in Liverpool on the 24th of June.”

Chief of Defence Staff Sir Stuart Peach commented: “I’m delighted to see people across the United Kingdom coming together to mark Armed Forces Day. The day is a chance for people to say thank you to the extraordinary men and women, stationed across the globe who dedicate their lives to defending their country and keeping British people safe.”

Councillor Wendy Simon, Assistant City Mayor and Cabinet Member for Culture Tourism and Events at Liverpool City Council, said: “It is a huge honour to be the national host for the celebrations and together with our partners we look forward to staging an unforgettable event which will do our city, the whole country and the Armed Forces proud.”

UK Armed Forces are currently involved in over 20 Operations in more than 25 countries, from South Sudan to Iraq. But many of those back at home will be in attendance at events across the country.

Also present will be many veterans that make-up the estimated 2.56 million Armed Forces veteran community living in the UK. Young Cadets will be present too; together the Sea, Army, and Air cadet forces have almost 100,000 members, many of which will be at events up and down the country.