Merton Council is calling on residents to come along and help celebrate the national Armed Forces Day on Saturday 25 June.

The parade will begin at Merton Civic Centre at 10am and proceed down London Road to St Lawrence Church in St Helier where a memorial service will be held.

Members of the Royal British Legion, Army cadets, Air Training Corps Scouts, Police Cadets and other organisations will meet to offer respect to those who serve in the armed forces.

Mayor of Merton Councillor Gilli Lewis-Lavender said: “Our armed forces do a very specialist job; whether they are currently serving, or are retired from the services, we owe them a huge amount in gratitude for their role in protecting our country’s interests. Merton’s Armed Forces Day parade is our chance to celebrate our brave men and women and to say ‘thank you’ for all they do.”

Cabinet member for children’s services, Councillor Maxi Martin who is organising this parade said: “This event helps celebrate and recognise those brave people who do so much to keep us safe at home and abroad. This is the first time we have been able to hold an Armed Forces Day parade in Merton and look forward to many more to come in future years.”

For more information on Armed Forces Day visit http://www.merton.gov.uk/armedforcesday.

Notes to editors:

Interviews are available with Councillor Maxi Martin and Ser Bahadur Pun, ex-serviceman and treasurer of the Nepalese community in south London.

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Press Contact:

Leoni Munslow

Communications Assistant

London Borough of Merton

020 8545 4654