Norfolk: Support For Our Armed Forces

People and businesses in Norfolk are getting together today to show their support for our armed forces and their families.

Norfolk will unite in a show of strength and support for its Armed Forces personnel and their families today as organisations, charities and communities come together to sign a Community Covenant pledging practical help for the county's military community.

Led by Norfolk County Council, the Norfolk Armed Forces Community Covenant is a voluntary statement of mutual support between a civilian community and its Armed Forces community, which in Norfolk numbers in excess of 8000 service personnel and their families, some of whom are soon be deployed in Afghanistan.

The Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk Richard Jewson will join Norfolk County Council’s Leader Derrick Murphy and its Chairman, Shelagh Hutson, as well as Brigadier Harry Nickerson, Commander 49 (East) Brigade, Commander Gerry Northwood, Chief of Staff, Naval Regional Command, Eastern England, Group Captain David Cooper, Station Commander at RAF Marham, General The Lord Dannatt and local authority leaders, invited guests and dignitaries in signing the covenant at County Hall.

The County Council’s Cabinet has agreed to allocate £50,000 to help support a number of Norfolk Armed Forces Community Covenant projects over the next 12 months with discussions underway on how best to support Armed Forces personnel and their families.

Derrick Murphy said: “Norfolk has a longstanding and successful relationship with the Armed Forces and, as anyone who drives here is well aware, it is known as Nelson's County, being the birthplace of Admiral Lord Nelson. Our Armed Forces are an integral part of who we are as a county and we will forever be indebted to them for the courage and commitment they give our country to help preserve the freedoms we enjoy.