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Thompsons Steps Forward to Support the Armed Forces

A fun-packed family event being held in Sunderland next week to support the armed services has received the backing of a leading North East builders’ merchant.

From Friday, June 29, to Sunday, July 1, the seafront at Roker will play host to a medley of activities including sports competitions between local schoolchildren, archery, go-karting and even a rock concert featuring the cream of the region’s talent.

Now, Sunderland-based Thompson Building Centres, has stepped forward to sponsor the three-day event, which will begin at 3pm on the Friday when amateur performers will take to the stage for a rock concert aimed at 15 to 25-year-olds.

From 10am the following day, Saturday, June 30, the emphasis is on family fun with a fairground and the chance for all ages to try archery, go-karting and paintballing and even an aircraft simulator.

There will be a five-a-side football competition, sporting displays from local karate and acrobatics groups along with stalls, which will be selling a variety of arts, crafts and locally-made goods.

Representatives from the army, navy and air force will also be manning static displays revealing aspects of their work such as mine clearance and from around 5.30pm local singers will entertain the crowds.

The day’s events will close in time for visitors to enjoy the Military Tattoo, organised by Sunderland City Council, at St Peter’s University Campus at 7pm.

On Sunday, July 1, at 11.30am a parade of army, navy and air force cadets led by a military band will march along the seafront and at 1pm there will be a minute’s applause in appreciation of the armed forces.

In the afternoon there will be a mini Olympics in which local schools will compete in a variety of sports day-style events, such as the egg and spoon and the three-legged races, before the weekend is rounded off with a tug of war between teams of serving and former members of each of the armed forces.

Anne Ganley, Chief Executive of Thompson Building Centres, said: “As a company we have long been involved with the armed services. Not only were we strong supporters of the Brothers in Arms appeal for a new war memorial inSunderlandbut we also take a keen interest in Military Mental Health – a charity set up to help former servicemen.

“We are delighted to be able to lend our support to Armed Forces Day and what promises to be a great weekend.”

The event has been organised by Armed Forces Day Sunderland, an eight-strong organisation of Wearside men and women who have either served in the military themselves or who have family members in the services.

Chairman Paul Jasper, who served 23 years in the Light Infantry and the Royal Green Jackets, said: “We are hugely grateful to Thompson’s. With their help this will be a fantastic weekend where people of all ages can have a great time and show their appreciation for the efforts and sacrifices made by our armed forces.”

Entry to the event costs £2 per adult and £1 for children and visitors will be given a wristband which they must produce to entitle them to half price admission on subsequent days.

Other businesses wishing to help sponsor the weekend are asked to contact Paul Jasper on 07710 690295 or e-mail him at jaspers@fsmail.net

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