A year long partnership between Middlesbrough Council and the Yorkshire Regiment has been launched to highlight the pride the town has in the regiment and raise funds for its charity arm.
The Yorkshire Regiment is the ‘local’ regiment for Middlesbrough and recruits heavily from the town and the Teesside area.
The 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, known for hundreds of years as the Green Howards, was formed in 1688 and has an illustrious and valiant history thanks in part to the bravery of its soldiers from Middlesbrough and the surrounding area.
The Green Howards became part of the Yorkshire Regiment in its current form in 2006 after a restructure of the infantry.
Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon decided to form the partnership after the success of the Yorkshire Regiment’s Freedom Parade in central Middlesbrough last year and after hearing how highly the regiment and the armed forces in general were regarded by local people.
Partnership year will include
The partnership will include the introduction of a ‘Heroes Welcome’ scheme which will enable local businesses to publicly show their support for all armed forces personnel.
It will also see money raised in the town for the Yorkshire Regiment Benevolent Fund.
The Fund supports soldiers and their families who are discharged from the army.
Every serving soldier in the Regiment makes a contribution towards the fund and over the last three years it has helped 1,000 ex-soldiers and granted more than £300,000.
What people are saying
Mayor Ray Mallon said: “The sacrifice made by our armed forces personnel cannot be underestimated.
“We owe them a huge debt of gratitude and as the elected Mayor of Middlesbrough I have decided to use this year to show to the Yorkshire Regiment how much we appreciate all that they do.
“The Yorkshire Regiment is known by many as the Green Howards and they have very strong ties to Middlesbrough and the wider Teesside area.
“Through this partnership we want to raise people’s awareness of who the Yorkshire Regiment are and raise funds for the Yorkshire Regiment Benevolent Fund which does invaluable work for former soldiers.
“I hope the people of Middlesbrough embrace this partnership and show their support to members of the regiment if they see them in the town over the coming year.”
Lieutenant Colonel David O’Kelly, Regimental Secretary for the Yorkshire Regiment, said: “The Yorkshire Regiment celebrates its 5th Anniversary in 2011 and I can think of no better way to do this than through a partnership with Middlesbrough and the wider Teesside area.
“It will be a really important year for us to help raise our profile, enhance our reputation and engage with the people of the Borough.
“The Regiment has historic links throughout this region and we are keen to maintain them; more than that however, it is essential for the future of the Regiment that we continue to attract young men into it.
“The Army has rarely been as busy as it is now and we need all the support we can get.
“I look forward to a successful and enjoyable year and am grateful for the opportunity that this presents.”
Partnership year will include
- Introduction of the Heroes Welcome scheme for businesses to show support for British Armed Forces personnel and indicate a warm welcome, special acknowledgement or even a little discount or service upgrade. Heroes welcome
- People will be urged by the Council to run for the Yorkshire Regiment Benevolent Fund in the flagship 10k and 5k Road Races and Fun runs in May and September. Representatives from the regiment will also be involved in participating in the event and assist with marshalling.
- The Mayor and Councillor Brenda Thompson to attend and present medals and cup at the Cleveland Under 16 Cup Final which has for many years been sponsored by the Yorkshire Regiment.
- A Regimental Band Concert will be held in Middlesbrough Town Hall.
- The Regiment will be present at the popular annual Council-run events in Middlesbrough including the Cleveland Show and the Middlesbrough Mela
- There will be flower beds in the town displaying the Yorkshire Regiment emblem and colours and the regimental flag will fly from Middlesbrough Town Hall.
It is also hoped the partnership year will assist with recruitment by highlighting the benefits of joining the Yorkshire Regiment to local young people planning to join the army.
Yorkshire Regiment Partnership video
Building on success
Last year Middlesbrough Council’s partnership charity was with Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research which celebrated its 50th year.
More than £15,000 was raised and hundreds of people and children got involved in activities.
Mission statement of Heroes Welcome
“To encourage British cities, towns and organisations to join Heroes Welcome UK, in order to give support, quiet recognition and a little hospitality to Armed Forces Personnel and their families.”
Accessing Heroes Welcome
By way of proof to access the scheme all service personnel carry a clearly marked Military ID card.
Any discount or upgrade offered is entirely up to the discretion of the business.
Heroes Welcome in Middlesbrough information for businesses
Heroes Welcome in Middlesbrough info for businesses
To take part in the Heroes Welcome in Middlesbrough scheme contact Susie Blood (nee Joscelyne) on 01642 729645 or email: heroeswelcome@middlesbrough.gov.uk
Middlesbrough businesses taking part in Heroes Welcome
| Business Name |
Contact details |
Discount or offer |
| Middlesbrough Council |
POX 500, Civic Centre, Middlesbrough, TS1 9FT |
Discounts will be given equivalent to the 'Leisure Link' discount which is generally 10% for military personnel and up to 6 family members accompanying them in the following venues: Neptune Leisure Centre, Rainbow Leisure Centre, Clairville Stadium, Southlands Centre, The Middlesbrough Golf Centre - 18 hole premier course and the Pitch and Putt. Venues not covered by leisure link will also participate in giving a 10% entry discount which are Hemlington Recreation Centre Newham Grange Country Farm and leisure activities in Albert Park eg roller skating and boats. |
| Whites café | 23 Corporation Rd, Middlesbrough TS1 1LP |
20% discount |
| Emanuel Spence ltd | Letitia Industrial Estate, Middlesbrough, TS5 4BE 01642 247938 |
|
| Market Cross Jewellers | 60 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough TS1 1RA 01642 246 266 |
15% discount |
| Hallmark fine Jewellers | 24 Oberhausen Mall, Hill St Shopping Centre, Middlesbrough TS1 1TB |
15% discount |
| Nandos | Middlesbrough Leisure Park Middlesbrough TS4 3AG 01642 250 007 |
20% discount |
| Millets | 40 Linthorpe Road Middlesbrough, TS1 1RD 01642 240 863 |
10% discount |
| Carphone warehouse | 96 Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough, GB – 0870 142 1540 |
Free connection to virgin media (normal cost £19.99) |
| Life Store |
Life Store, 10-12 Centre Mall, The Mall, Middlesbrough TS1 2NR Tel: 01642 737 884 | Receive a goody bag containing ‘healthy advice, toothpaste, receive a free BMI Check, and blood pressure check’ subject to criteria. |
| Abby’s Pizza | 94 Corporation Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 2RB,, 01642 242 224 |
10% discount when you spend over £5 |
| Kebab Centre | 263 Corporation Road, Middlesbrough, TS1 4AS, 01642 232 323 | 10% on collection |
| Orange Store | 7 Cleveland Centre Middlesborough, Cleveland TS1 2NP 0870 376 3835 |
25% discount *Must produce a wage slip from last 2 months |
| Sharps, Moben Dolphin | 2 Dunkerque Mall, Middlesbrough, Cleveland TS1 1TA . 01642 223512 |
A small discount will be received |
| Buckshees | Dundas Arcade Dundas Street, Middlesbrough, Cleveland TS1 1JA 01642 213 701 |
10% discount |
| Caffe 21 | Trader Jacks –Floor one 19 Corporation Road Middlesbrough TS1 1LW |
All armed service personnel will receive free chips*and children accompanying them will received a complimentary drink. * the best chips in Middlesbrough |
| Aruba | Wilson Street, Middlesbrough TS1 1SN 01642 232 111 |
Free Entry |
| Triads | 54-56 Albert Road, Middlesbrough, Cleveland - 01642 254 124 | 10% discount |
| Blue Inc men's clothing | 21-25 Oberhausen Mall Hill Street Shopping Centre Middlesbrough TS1 1TB 01624 211210 |
|
| Garage Shoes | Unit 6 Hill Street Centre Middlesbrough TS1 1TB 01642 231623 |
10% discount |
| BOX clothing | 24 Newport Road Middlesbrough, Cleveland TS1 5AE 01642 888 711 |
10% discount on full price |
| Goodbody’s | 58 Albert Road Middlesbrough Tees Valley TS1 1QD 01642 640299 |
20% discount |
| My Serenity | Complementary Therapies 70 Westgate Guisborough TS14 6AY 01287 634880 / 07828 882798 www.My-Serenity.co.uk |
Offers a warm welcome, and also a discount on all therapies of 30%. |
| Race for Furniture and Home Interiors | Porttrack Retail Park Holmhouse Road TS18 28B |
10% off |