Turn out in support of Armed Forces

0:00am Fri Sep 18, 2009

Sunday is Heroes Day in Newark. The event begins with the release of more than 200 red, white and blue balloons in memory of each UK Serviceman killed in Afghanistan.

Heroes Day is celebrating the work of the Armed Forces and raising money for Help for Heroes which supports wounded Servicemen and the Newark Patriotic Fund which helps families meet the cost of supporting the wounded during their recovery.

Heroes Day is at the Magnus School field, Earp Avenue, Newark, from 11am-4pm. Entry is by donation.

It is in memory of father-of-two, Corporal Ivano ‘Sean’ Violino, who was killed in Helmand Province, southern Afghanistan, on September 17, 2007. Corporal Violino went to school in Newark.

The county battalion, 2nd Battalion (Worcesters and Foresters) the Mercian Regiment, will have a recruitment caravan and paintball range at the event.

Their commanding officer, Lieutenant-colonel Simon Banton, said from Helmand Province: “Everybody in Nottinghamshire has been fantastic in their support for us.

“Their warmth and support keeps us going in our dark times.

“Organisations such as Help for Heroes and the Royal British Legion are there for the rest of our soldiers’ lives should they need them. I hope that you will support this event.”

Speeches to open the event and remember the sacrifices will be made by the leader of Newark and Sherwood District Council and deputy mayor of Newark, Mr Tony Roberts, and Newark county councillor and co-founder of the patriotic fund, Mr Keith Girling.

Corporal Johno Lee, from Coddington, who lost a leg in Helmand Province will be there.

The balloons will be released by Party Time, of Newark, at 11.30am.

The Butta Batu samba band will run drum workshops for all ages in one of the town council marquees from 11am-1pm.

There will be two performance areas.

The Cavalier Dance Band will perform on the Newark and Sherwood District Council stage for two 45-minute sets at 1pm and 2.15pm.

The Filthy Smith rock and covers band, seen at the Newark LocAle and Weinfest, will play from 3.15pm.

In the community arena from 12.40pm-1pm the Newark’s Got Talent winner and free-style dancer Latesha Lovelace will perform; from 1.15pm-1.45pm it will be the street dancers, JNS Dance Company, followed from 2pm-2.15pm with a rifle drill by Newark Army Cadets.

A raffle will then be drawn at 2.30pm by Nottingham Forest footballers and Nottinghamshire county cricketers.

More than 30 local companies have donated prizes.

Former world champion kickboxer Dean Sugden’s NMA fighters, who will be representing their country at the world championships in Spain this year, will give demonstrations in the community area from 3pm-3.20pm.

The Ice Diamonds cheerleaders will perform routines from 3.40pm.

The Holy Trinity Irish Dancers will perform from 1pm-1.15pm and 1.30pm-1.45pm in the school sports hall.

Elsewhere on the field will be Forest’s giant football target wall and a climbing wall paid for by Mr Girling.

Army cadets will be camo-painting children’s faces and the Royal British Legion will be promoting its work.

There will also be hydrospheres — giant inflated spheres that allow people to walk on water — and a bouncy castle. There will be a silent auction, a tombola and stalls and food sellers.

The fire, police and ambulance service will attend.

The event will be compered by Boundary Sound.

The MP for Newark, Mr Patrick Mercer, said: “The people of the Newark area are traditionally supportive of our Armed Forces and I hope this time will be no different.

“A lot of work has gone into this event, what we need now is for our townsfolk to support it on Sunday.”