Border armed forces

A number of events around Cumbria and the south of Scotland will be held to mark Armed Forces Week.

Events will include flag-raising ceremonies at the Old Town Hall in Carlisle on Monday 19 June at 12pm and in Workington at 10.30am.

The official Armed Forces Day flag is raised to mark a week of national celebrations in support of men and women of the armed forces community, including serving personnel, veterans, cadets and their families.

People across Cumbria and southern Scotland have been marking Armed Forces Day. Events were held in Stranraer, Workington, Cockermouth and Carlisle, from where Fiona Marley Paterson sent this report.

Military organisations are celebrating Armed Forces Day.

It focuses on those who are currently serving, by raising awareness and showing support for the contribution they and their families make.

There are events today (Saturday 28th June) in Carlisle, Workington, Cockermouth and Stranraer.

• Cockermouth:11.00 to 14.00 at Victori Hall, High Sand Lane
• Workington: 10.45am to midnight at the Royal British Legion Club, St John's Court
• Carlisle: 10.00 to 16.00 on the pedestrianised area
• Stranraer: 12.00 to 22.00 at Agnew Park

Eden District Council have expressed their pride at being involved in Armed Forces Week commemorations.

The council raised a flag at Penrith Town Hall earlier today to mark the start of the events, and were joined by members of the Royal British Legion.

People in Penrith have taken part in a flag raising ceremony at the town hall to mark the start of Armed Forces Week.

Events are taking place across the country this week in the run up to National Armed Forces Day on Saturday 28 June.

The chairman of Eden District Council, John Thompson, today raised the Armed Forces Day flag with David Stonehouse, Chairman of The Penrith and District Branch of The Royal British Legion.

Parades and flag-raising ceremonies are set to take place this across our region for Armed Forces Week.

Cadets, serving troops and veterans will be just some of those in attendance. The annual event celebrates and remembers soldiers past and present. Armed Forces Day takes place on Saturday 28 June.

A former paratrooper from South Cumbria says skydiving has transformed his life after being injured in a blast.

After leaving the army, Alistair Hodgson became the first double amputee to skydive.

Now, he does it for Great Britain and he has been to Downing Street to raise awareness, saying more needs to be done to help injured soldiers.

Fiona Marley Paterson reports.

A group of children from all over the UK have come together at an outward bound centre in the Lake District.

But what makes this holiday special is they all have one thing in common - each has lost a parent who was serving in the armed forces.

The charity, the Forces Children's Trust, has been set up to help those who are often overlooked when there are casualties and bereavements - the children of those who have died.

Andy Burn reports.