Moves to organise Armed Forces Day in Uckfield next year

Uckfield town councillors want to make an early start on planning an Armed Forces Day in 2011.

Cllr Helen Firth is asking fellow members of the environment and leisure committee, which meets tonight (Monday, September 6) to set up a working group to help organise the event.

In a report to the committee she says a group of councillors and the Uckfield branch of the Royal British Legion tried to organise an event this year but was unsuccessful because of a shortage of time.

Cllr Firth has volunteered to be on the working group and says that Uckfield mayor Cllr John Carvey and deputy mayor Cllr Duncan Bennett are prepared to join her. She says others will be welcome to join them along with members of the Royal British Legion.

The purpose of the event would be to raise money for the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes.

"This will give the people of Uckfield the opportunity to show their support for servicemen and women who are currently fighting on foreign soil in our name. It also shows our appreciation to those who fought in both world wars and in other conflicts.

"There are many who will need support for the rest of their lives because of the injuries they have sustained, and these two organisations do a fantastic job and need our support.