'Brilliant' Armed Forces Day coming to Portsmouth backed by thousands in extra funding
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The aim for the event is to honour the “extraordinary sacrifices” made by personnel
Thousands of pounds is being awarded by the government for Armed Forces Day in Portsmouth.
Event organisers in the city have successfully secured a grant of £10,000 for local events honouring serving military personnel, veterans, reservists, and cadets. Defence secretary John Healey said: “Our Armed Forces make extraordinary sacrifices to keep us safe and we are deeply proud of the skill and courage they show every day.
“With even more successful grant applications this year, the momentum is building for a brilliant Armed Forces Day. I want to see people turning out in force this June to thank our personnel and their families who support them and get a real insight into how they keep us safe 24/7."
Armed Forces Day in Portsmouth will take place June 20, with live displays and events taking place on Southsea Common. It coincides with marking 100 years of Portsmouth’s city status. Various stalls from veterans, charities, and military organisations will be organised, as well as a paid funfair.
The Ministry of Defence has worked to boost the number of Armed Forces Day events taking place this year in response to the Strategic Defence Review’s call to reconnect communities with the military and encourage a whole-of-society approach to defence. National events include major city gatherings, community sports days, and large-scale civic celebrations.
In addition to the Portsmouth event, the national celebration will take place in Aldershot and Farnborough on June 27, supported by a £50,000 grant for military bands, parades, and kit demonstrations.
Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Rich Knighton said: “The support of the public matters deeply to the Armed Forces community. Seeing the country come together to host these events shows how much what we do matters to the public.”
Further information can be found on the Portsmouth City Council website.