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●● A BAGPIPE marching band display organised by a soldiers’ charity helped to raise awareness of its work to support the armed forces.

The East Cheshire branch of the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF) organised the display by the Pipes and Drums of the Manchester branch of the Scots Guards Association, at Market Place in Macclesfield.

MP for Macclesfield, David Rutley, gave his support for the work of the ABF by attending the event.

The display was followed by a lunch at the Town Hall.

The performance aimed to give the public an opportunity to remember and support the work of the British armed forces.

Mr Rutley said: “It’s been an honour and pleasure to be able to attend such a fantastic event and to support such an important cause.

“The performance was a stirring spectacle, but also a reminder that the armed forces give so much for us, and that we should be rightly proud of them.

“It is essential that we give them support when they need it most, which is why the work of ABF is so richly appreciated.”

ABF offers lifetime support to both serving and retired soldiers when in need.

Having been in operation for more than 70 years, it can provide financial assistance to all soldiers and their families.

Even when a soldier leaves the Army they are still considered eligible for ABF’s help.

The money is given direct to individuals to help in areas such as debt relief, mobility assistance, education bursaries, care home fees and respite breaks.

The organisation set up a fund to support soldiers who have been affected by the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The number of cases needing support has increased in recent years.