A+ for Scarborough school’s D-Day initiative for veterans

To mark the 75th anniversary of the World War II D-Day landings in June, a Scarborough school has teamed up with a local veterans’ charity. St. Augustine’s encouraged pupils, parents and staff to donate a carrier bag each of items to help raise money for those who served in the armed forces and emergency services.

“We wanted to demonstrate our support and respect for our local armed forces and emergency services veterans,” explains teacher Mark Winspear. “So we asked our school community to bring in unwanted clothing, bric-a-brac, books, CDs, DVDs and toys that could be sold in FirstLight Trust’s shop on Newborough. The response has been amazing with more than 60 bags and £85 being donated.”

FirstLight Trust offers support for veterans and their families. They help with accommodation, food, training, gaining access to appropriate medical treatment or simply a chance to talk things through. Next door to the charity shop is the hub, containing Sharpe’s coffee bar serving hot drinks and home-made cakes. Here veterans and the public alike are welcome to relax.

“There are around 2,700 former armed forces personnel living in the Scarborough area alone,” explains charity founder Dorinda Wolfe Murray. “So we are really grateful to St. Augustine’s for their astounding initiative. It’s so also important for the next generation to be aware of the sacrifices made by those who have gone before them. We hope some of the students will pop by to visit us on Newborough and our stand at Armed Forces Day on 29 June.”

Scarborough was the charity’s first UK hub, opening in 2015. Since then similar hubs have been launched in Gosport, Hawick, Hereford, Lancaster and Redcar. The coffee bars contained within the hubs are named after Major Richard Sharpe, the fictional soldier played on TV by Yorkshire actor Sean Bean. Permission to use the iconic name was granted by the charity’s patron, author Bernard Cornwell.

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Notes to Editors

The FirstLight Trust hub and shop are at 63 and 64 Newborough, Scarborough.

More details about FirstLight Trust are available at www.firstlighttrust.co.uk

More details about St. Augustine’s can be found at staugs.co.uk

For more information, please email FirstLight Trust founder Dorinda Wolfe Murray at enquiries@firstlighttrust.co.uk or call 07464 828 049