A FREE family fun day will take place in Reading town centre on Saturday to mark Armed Forces Day.
The event will pay tribute to the town’s military veterans, and take place across Forbury Gardens and Broad Street between 11am and 4pm.
It is part of a national celebration, allowing people to show their support and appreciation for services personnel, past and present, including Reservists, veterans and cadets as well as their families.
In Forbury Gardens there will be performance from Diane James and her famous Vera Lynn and Doris Day tributes, Silver Tones and the Reading Scottish Pipe Band.
Activities include balloon modelling, face painting and an art workshop from Jelly.
There will be stands from charity and community organisations, including SSAFA The Armed Forces Charity, the Royal British Legion and The Forgotten British Gurkha Veterans Charity.
Refreshments will be available, although picnics are also welcomed.
The day will culminate with the annual HM Armed Forces Veteran’s Badge Presentation from 4pm, led by Lord-Lieutenant of Berkshire, James Puxley, and The Mayor of Reading, Cllr Rachel Eden.
“Armed Forces Day is an opportunity for our community to come together to show our appreciation to the men and women who have served our country in the armed forces, and to those who continue to do so,” Cllr Eden said.
“This event is always popular and will include everyone from cadets to veterans. Everyone is welcome to join us and show their support.
“You can enjoy all the activities on offer at Forbury gardens and even bring a picnic.”
Armed Forces charity Help for Heroes is teaming up with Tesco stores to launch a special collection this weekend.
Volunteers and supporters of the charity, as well as veterans supported by the charity will also make appearances at some stores and will be able to chat to shoppers about how Help for Heroes has helped – and continues to help – veterans.
The charity has supported 232 veterans and their families in Berkshire since its inception in 2007, and, with demand for its services increasing, it is, once more, appealing to the Great British Public for support.
Trevor Fudger, Help for Heroes’ Supporter Experience Manager, explained: “We’re always immensely grateful to Tesco for allowing us to collect vital funds at its stores across the country, but especially so this year, given the effects of the pandemic since 2020.
”We are hoping that the wonderful British public, which is always so supportive of its veterans, will once again dig deep to help fill our collection buckets at Tesco stores across the country. And we’d like to thank them in advance for any support they can give.”
