Residents in Colne are being invited to salute the work of men and women in the armed services as part of a nationwide event.
A number of activities will be taking place across the town over the coming weeks in light of Armed Forces Day on Saturday, June 29th.
The aim is to create as much awareness, and show as much support for all those who make up the Armed Forces community — from serving troops, to service families, to veterans and cadets.
And while fund-raising is not a part of the national commemoration, some organisers in Colne have selected army charities they would like to donate money to.
The first event will commence today, when a bag packing service will be provided to customers at Sainsbury’s, in Windy Bank, Colne, between 1pm and 4pm. It will also take place on Sunday.
The fund-raiser has been organised by checkout team leader Linda Gibson (52), who decided to donate all money to Troop Aid — a charity particularly close to her heart.
Linda, from Ightenhill, Burnley, currently has one son, Jamie, serving in Afghanistan. Her other son Tom is going through a recovery process at Headley Court, after being severely injured earlier in the year in a RPG attack.
Talking about the event, which will include staff dressing in army T-shirts and buckets being places at the end of each till, Linda said: “We thought this would be a good charity to raise money for.
“Luckily, we got the good outcome, but others are not as lucky as us. We wanted to do something to say thank you, and give something back to help others.”
From Monday to Saturday, all army, navy and air force men and women, past and present, will be treated to a free meal at the Langroyd Hall Hotel Crown Carvery A complimentary full English breakfast or carvery will be served to all service personnel and veterans. To download a voucher visit www.crowncarveries.co.uk or www.facebook.com/crowncarveries
And on Armed Forces Day, an entertaining event is being hosted at the Dressers’ Club in Hall Street from 1pm .
It will include live music all day and a number of competitions, to raise money for Help For Heroes.
Brewer Peter Goldsbrough, from the Reedley Hallows Brewery in Burnley, said: “We have our beer in the Dressers’ Club regularly, and we do anything we can to help them.
“With it being a good cause, we will be donating a few barrels to them.”
Plenty of fun is also set to be had at Colne Legion Club on Sunday, June 30th. Performer Debbie Wilson will be singing songs from the 1930s and 1940s from 1pm.
If you are hosting an Armed Forces Day event then contact our newsdesk on 612561. And for more information visit www.armedforcesday.org.uk