Last updated at 19:53, Thursday, 31 May 2012

Organisers of Workington’s Armed Forces Day parade are calling on families of troops past and present to support the charity event.

TROOPS ON SHOW: Last year’s Armed Forces Day parade in Workington

The parade will march through the town on Saturday, June 30.

It will stop at Vulcan Park for a joint memorial service and celebration of the army, navy and RAF.

The parade is being planned by Pat Lavin, Royal British Legion club stewardess, and bar worker Lesley Jackson, whose sons Jamie and Matthew Richardson are in the army.

Lesley said: “We are immensely proud of the Cumbrian men and women who have served and are serving our country.

“A lot of people from West Cumbria have military connections and it would be great to see all those families lining the street and supporting this event.

“It is vitally important that we remember not only the war dead but the soldiers, medics and everyone else who is currently serving.”

The parade will be led by a pipe band and will include a drumhead service led by Canon Byran Rowe, before an afternoon and evening of entertainment at the Royal British Legion, in St John’s Court.

Lesley and Pat have raised money all year for the event, and paid for a pipe band from the North East to lead the procession.

Both the sea and air cadets will be part of the parade, which begins on Pow Street and will follow a route along Finkle Street and Vulcan’s Lane before a service with Cleator Moor Brass Band in Vulcan Park.

The parade will then return to the legion along Oxford Street.

Lesley said: “We have spent a bit of money making this one of the best parades.

“The pipe band will add a sense of occasion to the parade. We want as many people as possible to support us because the people who benefit are those who have dedicated their lives to protecting us.”

The cadets will show off their drills at the legion in the afternoon and the pipe band will play in the evening. Music acts Sasha and Dawson will also perform, with all money raised going to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

First published at 19:23, Thursday, 31 May 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk