HMS Heroes family fun day

Forces families are under strict orders to have fun at HMS Heroes first ever family fun day at the Royal Citadel in Plymouth.

The event is taking place on Saturday 3 August from 12 noon and is free to all military families and members of HMS Heroes. It has been organised and funded by 29 Commando, Royal Artillery and supported by HMS Heroes National Volunteers and other local partners.

HMS Heroes is a national support group for Forces children and was formed in Plymouth in 2010 to give children with serving parents a voice. Since then, it has grown and now boasts over 4500 members nationally.

The fun starts at 12 noon and runs throughout the day with climbing challenges, archery, go-karts, fairground rides, pony rides, candyfloss, and much more.

There will be free ice cream for children from the BFBS Radio Ice Cream Van, which will be broadcasting live from the event to Service personnel, world -wide.

The Military Wives Choir will entertain families at the start of the day and the Stonehouse Play Association will launch its new youth initiative, funded through the Armed Forces Community Covenant.

The event will also mark the beginning of Staff Sargent Nick Middleton’s sponsored run from Plymouth to Manchester in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support and the Soldiers Charity.

Lieutenant Colonel Edward Dawes, Commanding Officer 29 Commando Regiment RA, said:

“Servicemen are as busy as ever, certainly those in 29 Commando are. So, we have designated 3 August as a day of fun for families and young people from across the Military community as a way of saying thank you for all the love and understanding they provide to us so unquestioningly. Those of us that serve can only do what we do because of the support of our families.”

“In addition to those from the Regimental family and from HMS Heroes, we welcome all families who have a serving member of the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army (Reserve or Regular) and Royal Air Force. I must also say thank you to those organisations that have supported this day, including all those in the Military Community Covenant Group, led by Plymouth City Council.”

Councillor Pauline Murphy, who is involved with HMS Heroes national volunteers, is due to be at the event. She said: “We are delighted to support this event. The children have always wanted to include their family and friends in a day of celebration together. Without the huge generosity of 29 Commando, this would never have been possible. It will, without a doubt, bring community members closer together and help them to better understand each other’s lives and the work of the military here in the city.”