Updated on
People from across Portsmouth came out this Bank Holiday weekend, in response to a call from Help for Heroes to show the strength of public support for men and women who have served their country.
The Charity launched The People’s Promise to Veterans at Gunwharf Quays on 21-23 August, to ask the great British public to show they value the contribution of the men and women who protect us.
Members of the public, local partners, politicians and businesses were asked to sign one of the puzzle pieces, which make up the Peace by Piece exhibition stand, to show they are committed to being part of the solution to ensure that veterans get the support they deserve after service.
Local MPs, Amanda Martin (Portsmouth North), Stephen Morgan (Portsmouth South) and Dame Caroline Dineage (Gosport) joined the event, along with the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth, Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson CBE, Lady Mayoress Dianna Carruthers and Council Leader Steve Pitt who all signed puzzle pieces to show they are committed to supporting our veterans.
Mark Elliott is one of the driving forces behind Help for Heroes since it was established and was a Grenadier Guard himself. He said: “We’re really grateful for the support we’ve had from the people of Portsmouth.
“Back in 2007 it was the great British public who got behind a campaign to support the wounded, injured and sick men and women who were returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. Now we need to build a united movement of veterans, our families, and our allies to fight for a future where every person who serves our country knows they’ll be backed, not abandoned, when their service ends.
“That’s why we visited the historic naval city of Portsmouth to again ask local people to show they value our veterans – and to send a clear message to those in power that they need to make lasting changes to how we support the men and women who protect us.”
The Charity is calling for four key improvements: better healthcare, financial security, consistent access to support, and a society that fulfils its duty to veterans.
Mark added: “With the push to expand our armed forces because of an increasingly unstable global picture, if we don’t get this right now, we’re sleepwalking towards a crisis. Charities like ours, as well as other public services, will be under increasing strain to try to fill the gaps. If we don’t get this right now, how on earth will we be able to recruit the service men and women we need to protect us?”
For more information about how to join The People's Promise to veterans, use the link below.