Armed Forces Day celebrations in Northamptonshire
Today is a chance to show your support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community.
Events are taking place today across the county to mark Armed Forces Day honouring former and current servicemen and women.
In Northampton's Market Square a free event, organised by Northampton Town Council, will open with welcome speeches from the Mayor and Deputy Lieutenant.
Northamptonshire Yeomanry and Army Benevolent Fund representative David Parish will give a talk on the history of the Northamptonshire Regiment and the work of the Fund.
Army Veteran and Disability Content Creator Nick Wilson, also known as 'The Disabled Adventurer', will be available throughout the day. He's bringing the record breaking all-terrain mobility chair 'RockClimber' built by Rock Engineering in Towcester, which enabled Nick to be the first disabled person to achieve a solo ascent of Snowdon in a power mobility chair.
In Rushden a Parade consisting with a band, veterans and cadets and military vehicles will start at 1pm from Alfred Lord Tennyson School Playground, and in Ringstead there will be a Charity Armed Forces Day Fete around St Mary’s church.
Minister for Veterans and People
The Minister for Veterans and People Alistair Carns has been speaking to us about the importance of Armed Forces Day.
The day acts as a spring board not only to celebrate our serviceman but to signpost support available. The veteran of the Royal Marines for 24 years Alistair Carns says one of those is mental health support:
"If anyone at all has issues with Mental Health I would say reach out to Op Courage which is a programme which has now seen 30,000 people seek help though the NHS."
It's a specific programme for veterans and those serving.
Alistair Carns says he understands what it is like to see the support on Armed Forces Day:
"I've lived in the family accommodation, live seen people killed in combat, and seen them injured and I've seen the effect on their families."
There's more detail about today's events on the Armed Forces Day website and the Northampton Town Council website.