North remembers

Reporter ICONIC landmarks across the UK were lit up on Saturday night as the nation came together to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice.

And our famous Tyne Bridge and the Angel of the North were among them.

Projections of the ghostly silhouettes of World War One soldiers, or ‘Tommies’, also illuminated Marble Arch, Tate Modern, HMS Belfast, Warwick Castle, Titanic Belfast, Cardiff Castle and Edinburgh Castle, as well as those in Newcastle and Gateshead.

Less than 24 hours before the nation stands together to remember 100 years since the signing of the Armistice today, these historic buildings and landmarks across the UK stood united with the words “There But Not There” to remember the fallen.

The Tommy silhouettes have appeared all over the UK since the campaign launched in February, commemorating the 888,246 British and Commonwealth troops who died in the First World War whilst also raising funds for military charities supporting veterans today.

General The Lord Dannatt, Patron of There But Not There and former Chief of the General Staff, said: “As we reach one hundred years since the Armistice, it is vital we reflect on the sacrifice made by an entire generation of servicemen and women.

“These wonderful landmarks coming together provide a remarkable representation of the nation doing exactly just that.

“We have been incredibly moved by the overwhelming public support that we have received across the country, which has led to more than £4m raised for military and mental health charities.

“However, our journey doesn’t stop here; we need the public’s backing more than ever in raising funds to support our veterans in crisis.

“Mental health remains a crucial issue and we hope people will see these poignant silhouettes and be inspired to buy their own Tommy to both remember the fallen and to help those that continue to struggle today.”

There But Not There has generated more than £4m in sales and donations since its launch in February.

Alongside the six-foot Tommies, 10-inch Perspex Tommies, made by veterans to support veterans are also being produced and sold by Remembered.

All profits made from the sale of these Tommies, will go to a group of mental health and armed forces charities.

These are: The Royal Foundation, Walking With The Wounded, Combat Stress, Help for Heroes, Project Equinox: Housing Veterans and Medical Students and Commonwealth War Graves Foundation.

Following a petition signed by over 125,000 members of the public, the charity recently won a landmark battle with the Treasury over the return of VAT on the sale of Tommies.

The VAT rebate is worth in excess of £800,000 to the charities.

For more information or to buy your own Tommy, visit www.ThereButNot There.org.uk