CHESHIRE has pledged its support to the military by signing an Armed Forces Community Covenant at a ceremony in Warrington.
It commits the local military and civilian authorities to work together more closely in support of serving personnel, ex-service and their families. It was one of the key measures in the Armed Forces Covenant published in May last year.
The Cheshire Community Covenant is a collaboration between 75 Engineer Regiment, which, as the Cheshire Garrison, has its headquarters in Peninsula Barracks, Warrington, and the four local authorities of Cheshire West and Chester, Cheshire East, Halton and Warrington.
Representatives of all the organisations involved took part in the signing ceremony at Peninsula Barracks. Also there were local and national supporting organisations including Combat Stress, Job Centre Plus, Halton Chamber of Commerce, NHS, SaBRE, and the Army Benevolent Fund, the soldier’s charity.
The Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force were also present to sign the covenant as was Brigadier Nick Fitzgerald, Commander 42 (North West) Brigade.
The covenant’s aims are to encourage local communities to support the Armed Forces Community in their areas, to promote understanding and awareness of issues affecting the Armed Forces Community, to recognise and remember the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces Community and to encourage activities which help to integrate the Armed Forces Community into local life.
Cheshire Garrison commander, Lieutenant Colonel Al Veitch, said: “We were delighted to have been able to draw together such a range of organisations from across Cheshire to agree to work with the Armed Forces Community and provide support to one another.
“Managing to work through the detail of this was a real achievement but demonstrates the commitment that all signatories have for making this work. The signing was just the start of what will be a difficult but potentially rewarding journey ahead.”
