City raises the Red Ensign for Merchant Navy Day

Sunderland will pay tribute to the sacrifice of the men and women of the Merchant Navy.

Andcityresidentsarebeing invited to play their part.

Mayor of Sunderland Coun Henry Trueman will raise the Red Ensign fover Sunderland CivicCentretomarkMerchant Navy Day today, and raise public awareness of the Merchant Navy's contribution to Great Britain.

Guestsareinvitedtoattend the flag raising ceremony outside the Council Chamber at 10am.

This will be the seventh consecutive year the Red Ensign has been raised outside the Civic Centre to mark the occasion.

Merchant Navy Day was first held in 2000, with the 'Fly the Red Ensign' campaign launched in 2015 to remind people of its national significance.

Coun Trueman said: "As Mayor of Sunderland, I am honoured to represent the peopleofthiscityonMerchant NavyDaybyraisingthefamous Red Ensign.

"The people of Sunderland recognise and appreciate the contributionmadebytheMerchant Navy to all our lives, as so many people from the city have served in the merchant marine.

"I am delighted to invite residentstocelebrateandcommemorateMerchantNavyDay in person at the Civic Centre, aftercelebrationsweremoved online due to Covid last year, and I hope to see many people come along to pay their respects."

Anyone wishing to attend theceremonyisaskedtoarrive no later than 9.40am.

The Mayor will deliver a welcome speech, The LordLieutenant will read out a messagefromHRHTheEarlof Wessex and Captain Stephen Healy,MasterofTrinityHouse, will deliver a short speech.