SUNDERLAND: A family event being held in Sunderland this summer to support the armed services has received the backing of a leading North East builders’ merchant. Sunderland’s Thompson Building Centres has agreed to be main sponsor of a three day Armed Forces event planned on Wearside this summer.

The event - From Friday, June 29 to Sunday, July 1 - will include a range of activities aimed at families with sports competitions and concerts planned at Sunderland seafront along with a Military Tattoo including representatives of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Thompson’s support of the event is the latest in a long line of sponsorship given by the company to military causes, having been the driving force behind the North East’s Brothers In Arms appeal which led to the creation of a new memorial wall in Sunderland to remember men and women who have died in service since WWII.

Anne Ganley, Chief Executive of Thompson Building Centres, said: “As a company we have long been involved with the armed services. Not only were we strong supporters of the Brothers in Arms appeal for a new war memorial in Sunderland but we also take a keen interest in Military Mental Health – a charity set up to help former servicemen.

“We are delighted to be able to lend our support to Armed Forces Day and what promises to be a great weekend.”

The event has been organised by Armed Forces Day Sunderland, an eight-strong organisation of Wearside men and women who have either served in the military themselves or who have family members in the services.

Chairman Paul Jasper, who served 23 years in the Light Infantry and the Royal Green Jackets, said: “We are hugely grateful to Thompson’s. With their help this will be a fantastic weekend where people of all ages can have a great time and show their appreciation for the efforts and sacrifices made by our armed forces.”