MOD Press release 024/15 dated 18 February 2015
ARMED FORCES DAY 27 June 2015
HOLD AN EVENT TO SALUTE OUR FORCES
COMMUNITIES across the country are being asked to show their support for our Servicemen and women this summer by holding Armed Forces Day celebrations, and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is inviting organisers to apply for funding to help make local events a success.
Armed Forces Day will take place on Saturday 27 June this year, with a major national event to be held in Guildford, Surrey. At the same time, people across the nation will be joining hundreds of local celebrations to help say “Thank You”.
You could get support to hold your own Armed Forces Day event by applying for up to £10,000 from the Armed Forces Day Team.
No event is too big or small – from city-wide parades and local fetes, to simply getting together with friends and neighbours for a street party, the aim of Armed Forces Day is to show support for the men and women of the Armed Forces community.
In 2014 more than 300 Armed Forces Day events were held across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and over 100 were supported with funding from the Ministry of Defence. Events varied in size from just a few hundred visitors to many thousands and every year bids for a few hundred pounds are granted to assist smaller events.
Rear Admiral Simon Williams, Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Personnel & Training) and Defence Services Secretary said:
“Armed Forces Day is an opportunity to show every part of the Armed Forces community our appreciation and support, which is why we’re offering funding to help hundreds of communities across the UK convey their thanks through local events.”
Joe Fairrie, Chairman of North East motor cycle club the Bad-Landers, has hosted seven Armed Forces Day events. He said:
“I’m proud to host Armed Forces Day events to raise awareness of the importance of our Armed Forces, both past and present. Many bikers in the North East are veterans so we want to show our support.
“Our event has grown bigger over the years and the Ministry of Defence funding has helped us meet the cost. Last year around 300 motorbikes, trikes & scooters escorted our local troops, cadets and veterans along the seafront to celebrations in the park, and more than 6,000 people attended. It’s really satisfying to see the enormous amount of support the event receives and I think more organisations should do it - it doesn't have to be a huge event, just a good old family fun day!”
A maximum of £10,000 is available from the MOD and the funding should account for no more than 50 per cent of the total event cost. Anyone interested in applying for funding must submit an application form by 27 March 2014.
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 at ARMEDFORCESDAY-Events@mod.uk or by telephone on 020 7807 0970.