Regions unite to celebrate military men and women

People across Renfrewshire are being encouraged to unite and celebrate our serving military men and women.

Serving troops, veterans and their families will join the provosts of Renfrewshire and Inverclyde, as well as the Lord-Lieutenant of Renfrewshire Guy Clark, to mark Armed Forces Day with a service in Paisley Abbey tomorrow.

Reverend Alan Birss, Minister of Paisley Abbey, will lead a short service at 10am to recognise the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces, both past and present.

A collection will be held at the service with donations going to Fares4Free, a charity providing free transport for veterans, assisting them with getting to appointments they might not otherwise be able to travel to.

Following the service tea and coffee will be provided in the abbey.

Both provosts and the LordLieutenant will then move on to Hawkhead Cemetery where they will lay wreaths at the memorial.

Renfrewshire Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “Our Armed Forces make sacrifices every day to protect our country and we must ensure we support them wherever possible.

“Armed Forces Day brings the communities of Inverclyde and Renfrewshire together to pay our respects to those who have served, and to recognise those who currently serve in our name. I would encourage as many people as possible to attend.”

As well as the joint service with Inverclyde, Renfrewshire will host a flag raising ceremony today at 11am outside Renfrewshire House in Cotton Street.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Air Force and the Year of Young People, Air Cadet sergeants James Fulton and Aimee Dunlop, from 396 Paisley Squadron, will raise the flag which, will fly for seven days.

Our Armed Forces make sacrifices every day to protect our country