Ten for Ten Armed Forces Day at Harestock Primary School
Winchester MP Steve Brine joined staff, parents and children at Harestock Primary School on Monday 10th October as the Armed Forces mark Red, White and Blue Day.
Red, White and Blue Day was set up as part of Ten for Ten, a 10 day fundraising appeal to mark the 10 years in Afghanistan, and has the backing of a number of supoorters, including Prince William and England cricket captain Andrew Strauss.
As part of the day, the Parachute Regiment visited the school to spend time with the children, 18% of whom are from Forces' families themselves.
There was also an active field kitchen set up where soldiers from Worthy Down demonstrated the food and preparation techniques used by the Forces while on active service in Afghanistan.
The MP was able to spend a few minutes chatting with a number of locally-based service families, where they discussed a number of important issues, including the provision of school places for children returning with their families from abroad.
Steve said: "It is so important we mark this milestone in the Afghanistan campaign and Ten for Ten is therefore so welcome at this time.
"We owe so much to those serving now and those who have returned from active service this past decade but we also recognise the huge sacrifice made by their families here in Winchester.
"Some of the children I met at Harestock have a parent in Afghanistan right now and I don't underestimate the stress that causes them day to day as they cope with all the other pressures of growing up. The environment we provide for them, and excellent events such as the ones laid on today at school, are to be applauded."
Pictured; Steve joins soldiers (top) with Headteacher Jackie Sankey and children from Harestock Primary School at the field kitchen set up in the school grounds and chats to local parents about the issues they face
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Find out more about the campaign at www.tenforten.co.uk and visit the school website at www.harestock.co.uk.