MOD PRESS RELEASE 018/2014 18 February 2014
ARMED FORCES DAY
YOUR COUNTRY NEEDS YOU!
Cities, communities and local organisations across the UK are being asked to show their support for our Servicemen and women past and present, by hosting an Armed Forces Day event this summer, with funding available to support the festivities.
Since 2009, Armed Forces Day has been marked annually with events large and small throughout the UK, and this year the celebrations will fall on Saturday 28 June, when a major national event will be held in the City of Stirling, Scotland.
In 2013 more than 340 events took place in all parts of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, many of which were made possible through funding from the MOD. They included Armed Forces Day tea parties, parades, big band concerts, civil war military re-enactments and live and static demonstrations. They all enabled the public to show their support for the men and women of the Armed Forces family, such as current personnel, veterans, cadets and families.
No event is too big or small to say “Thank You” to our Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen for the outstanding work they do. If you are a council, organisation or a member of a local community you can apply for funding from the Ministry of Defence (MOD) to host an event. A maximum of £10,000 is available per application, providing that the MOD funding accounts for no more than 50 per cent of the total cost, with numerous bids for a few hundred pounds granted each year to assist smaller events. Anyone interested in applying for funding must submit an application form by 28 March 2014.
Rear Admiral Simon Williams, Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Personnel & Training) and Defence Services Secretary said:
“I am delighted that the MOD can offer funding for local communities in the UK who wish to show their support and convey their thanks by holding an Armed Forces Day event. Those interested should apply for funding by 28 March and make the day truly one to remember.”
Councillor Tom Fox, Leader of Scarborough Borough Council which received funding with their celebrations in June 2013, said:
"Last year with the help of MOD funding, Scarborough hosted a fun-filled Armed Forces Day attended by 30,000 people. It was a fantastic day with parades, displays and even the spectacular Red Arrows, all in honour of our Service personnel and the sacrifices they make. We have already applied for funding for 2014, and urge others to do the same."
To find out more about the application process and funding criteria, please visit www.armedforcesday.org.uk or contact the Armed Forces Day team at the MOD by email PersTrg-DSSec-CECTMailbox@mod.uk or by telephone 020 7807 0970. The website also contains a range of ideas and items to help get the most out of your local event.