Two special events to celebrate Armed Forces Day in Darlington have provided a cash boost for a soldiers’ charity.
In what has become an annual tradition, local residents turned out to support a Raise the Flag ceremony and parade in the town centre last month.
A Proms in the Park concert was also held at the Bandstand in Darlington’s South Park, and sponsored by The Northern Military Music Group, Modus Seabed Intervention and Darlington Borough Council.
Hundreds of people took part in the events and a total of £954.62 has been raised for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, which was presented to Lt Colonel Barney Barnbrook, Regional Director North East of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, by Modus Seabed Intervention’s Managing Director Jake Tompkins.
Mr Tompkins said:
“We’re delighted that Proms in the Park, marking Armed Forces Day, has now become an annual fixture in Darlington’s calendar. It’s proved to be a hugely popular event and it’s great that we’ve also been able to raise so much money for such a worthwhile charity.”
Lt Colonel Barnbrook said: “We’d like to say a huge thanks to the people of Darlington for supporting the Armed Forces Day events and for helping raise these much-needed funds for The Soldiers’ Charity, which supports soldiers, former soldiers and their families.”
Councillor Nick Wallis, Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure added:
“The parade and Proms in the Park events offer a great opportunity to bring people together to help recognise the efforts of our servicemen and women, both past and present. They have proved to be a huge success and our thanks go to all who helped organise and support the events, and who helped raise funds for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity.”