Saturday 26 June 2010
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Armed Forces Day aims to raise public awareness of the contribution made to our country by those who serve and have served in HM Armed Forces. The day is an annual opportunity for the nation to Show Your Support for the men and women who make up the Armed Forces community: from currently serving troops to Service families, and from veterans to cadets.
Armed Forces Day events can come in any size or shape, from national and regional celebrations, local events organised by councils, ex-Service organisations, community groups and schools or individually arranged street parties or barbeques. Parades of veterans, cadets and/or currently serving personnel are very popular, as are presentations of veterans badges.
Armed Forces Day events should occur a week either side of the National Armed Forces Day – the last Saturday in June annually and to be eligible for funding your event must fall within this bracket.
It all depends on what kind of event you’re going to hold. How many people are likely to attend – is the venue big enough to hold them all, or is it too big, so that everyone gets lost? Events in the city centre attract the people who are already going there – shoppers and their families. Less central events may need more advertising and marketing. Small events can take place in town halls, public buildings, schools, churches and community centres.
Anybody who has the time and desire to help is good to have on board! The larger your event, the more people you will need. It is a good idea to include people with a range of skills and connections: for example, a teacher could be a good conduit to local schools, or the local Royal British Legion could help you to involve veterans in your area. Local councils, their officers and elected members could also be useful contacts.
People are flying their flags on flag poles in the garden, from windows and anywhere else they can think of. Why don’t you let other see what you are doing with yours by posting a photo on our Flickr channel
The closing date for 2010 funding application has now passed. Information on 2011 event funding will be posted soon. Event organisers, should in the first instance contact Mr Gareth Legg (Email gareth.legg679@mod.uk or by telephone 020 7807 0966)
First of all, enter the details of your event on this website, so we can do everything possible to help you. Look through the information and downloads in the Resources section; these include Armed Forces Day logos so you can make your own flyers and posters to distribute around you community, or post online (you could try to find a sponsor for this). Try and get as much publicity as you can through your local newspaper and radio stations.
Click here to find out about operations the UK Armed Forces are involved in around the world or visit the official websites of the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force.
Armed Forces Day 2011 will take place on Saturday 25th June.
Information on 2011 event funding will be posted after Armed Forces Day 2010. Event organisers, should in the first instance contact Mr Gareth Legg (Email gareth.legg679@mod.uk or by telephone 020 7807 0966)
Take a look at the British Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force’s websites for detail on location of units around the country
The MOD will ensure that the public support being demonstrated by you and your friends will be shown to our forces in Afghanistan and other locations around the world wherever they are deployed.
There are many other ways you can show your support all year round. These are just a couple of options:
If you can’t find the answer to your question here, use the form to the right to email us, and we’ll do our best to help.