Â鶹ÊÓƵ

South Tyneside is set to show its support for military organisations this Sunday (19 June) when people come together to mark Armed Forces Day.

The special event, organised by the Bad-Landers Motorcycle Club in partnership with Â鶹ÊÓƵ, will feature a colourful military parade along South Shields seafront, followed by an action-packed family fun day in Bents Park.

It will begin with a cavalcade of more than 500 motorbikes and scooters as they ride along the seafront from Sunderland to Bents Park at 9.45am.

They will be followed at around 10.15am by a military parade with pipes and drums from Gypsies Green to Bents Park, where an inspection of the troops will take place and an open-air church service.

The service, led by Father Mark Mawhinney of St Hilda's Church, will include prayers, a two-minute silence, renditions of the Last Post and Reveille and the national anthem.

This will be followed by a day of family fun in Bents Park featuring live music, children's fairground rides, charity stalls, a tombola and refreshments. Other attractions on the day include an exhibition of motorbikes, scooters, classic cars and military vehicles.

The Mayor of South Tyneside, Councillor Pat Hay will inspect the troops. She said: "Armed Forces Day celebrates our amazing servicemen and women and the wider Armed Forces community. It gives us a chance to show our support for their dedication to service and the huge sacrifices they make for us all.

"The event has grown to become one of the most popular and poignant events in our annual calendar and after two years of virtual tributes due to covid, we are delighted to see the event return in its traditional format with people coming together once again.

"I am honoured to represent the Borough at the event and it will be a very proud moment for me to take the salute.

"We look forward to seeing the whole community getting involved and supporting our services personnel. It is always a great day out for the family."

The annual event celebrates all things military, from servicemen and women past and present to their families, veterans and cadets.

The event is open to the public until 5pm. A charity donation of £3 per person is requested from those attending, who will receive a commemorative wristband. Entry is free for children under 14 accompanied by an adult. All profits from the day go to various Armed Forces charities.

Organiser Joe Fairrie, of the Bad-Landers Motorcycle Club, said: "With everything from a formal inspection of the troops to street entertainers, displays and live music, Armed Forces Day is a great family day out. We're delighted to be able to bring the event back this year in its fully glory.

"We always get a huge amount of support from the biking community around the North East and the money raised on the day goes a long way to supporting military charities. But it's about much more than that. It's about remembering and acknowledging that our armed forces risk their lives to keep us safe.  Let us all respect the troops and what they do for us."

Councillor Ed Malcolm, Chairman of the South Tyneside Armed Forces Forum, added: "Armed Forces Day is a fitting tribute to our  brave servicemen and women who proudly serve our country. It is the perfect opportunity for people to come together and show their support for our military personnel.

"As well as celebrating all things military, it allows people to reflect on the great sacrifices made by the armed forces community whose work is so vital in the defence of our country. Those who attend will not only have a great time but will be supporting a really worthwhile cause."

A temporary road closure will be in place along Sea Road from around 9.30am to 11.30am to allow armed forces organisations to parade along to Bents Park. Signs will be in place along the route.

For further information about Â鶹ÊÓƵ's support for Armed Forces visit Â鶹ÊÓƵ: Armed forces.