Tribute walk is back up again
Sunderland’s Veterans’ Walk, which honours Forces Personnel past and present, is taking orders for stones as it resumes its latest phase following lockdown.
The Veterans’ Walk project aims to create a lasting tribute to those who have served or are still serving in the Regular and Reserve Armed Forces with a personalised stone on the special pathway in Sunderland.
The pathway weaves its way around the city’s Brothers In Arms Memorial Wall in Mowbray Park, but, unlike the wall, it also honours living people who serve in the Army, RAF, Royal Navy and the Merchant Navy.
It was first started in November 2016 by Tom and Carla Cuthbertson, whose son Private Nathan Cuthbertson was killed in Afghanistan in 2008, and Rob Deverson as part of the Armed Forces Tribute Project.
Granite slabs which make up the pathway are laid in phases to avoid disruption at the park, with each stone honouring an individual who has or is serving their country.
About 500 stones have been laid on the pathway since the start of the project.
Further stones, which formed the latest phase, were due to be unveiled in June this year but work was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But now work on the project has resumed once again, with people able to place orders for engraved stones up until the end of September.
The new stones on the walkway will then be unveiled on Remembrance weekend, on Saturday, November 7.
Tom Cuthbertson, 51, said: “The response we have had to the Veterans’ Walk has be absolutely unbelievable.
“We have had people contact us from Australia, Canada, America and from London – as well as friends who I served with 30 odd years ago – who have bought a stone.
"Some people think they are for people from Sunderland or people who have passed away, but we are trying to reinforce that the stones are available to everybody, not just people from Sunderland or those who have passed away.
"The stones are part of a military path that is laid for life.”
Stones cost £249 and can be ordered at: https://www. nationalveteranswalk.co.uk/
Stones can also be reserved online for later payment.