Rotherham military Community Veterans Centre receives silver status award from Ministry of Defence

The MCVC has gained silver status in the MoD’s employer recognition scheme, showing its commitment to offer support for current and former forces personnel.

Maj Adrian Hunt, chair of Rotherham MCVC, said: “This award is recognition of all the hard work being carried out by the volunteers at the MCVC.

“It is of significant benefit to the military community and provides encouragement to continue with the work we do.”

Maj-Gen Marc Overton, assistant chief of defence staff (reserves and cadets), said: “A silver award recognises the fantastic efforts of employers throughout the UK who have both elevated their communities under the Armed Forces Covenant and provided actual benefits to the Armed Forces Community.

“The winners should all be proud of their life-changing impact and fresh opportunities they are providing to our reservists, veterans and their families.

“The number of winners this year yet again shows that the armed forces family talent pool is also providing tangible business benefits.”

The traditional Armed Forces Day parade took place in Rotherham town centre on Saturday morning, and it was followed by inspection in All Saints’ Square, a service of worship, and speeches.

Wentworth & Dearne MP John Healey, the shadow defence secretary, thanked the near-10,000 forces personnel recruited from Yorkshire and the Humber since 2015.

In the past eight years, there have been 6,110 joining the army, 1,990 going into the Royal Navy and Royal Marines plus 1,840 heading for the RAF.

Mr Healey said: “I am deeply proud of our almost 10,000 UK armed forces personnel from our region for the enormous contribution they make to our country.

“On Armed Forces Day, we thank them for all they do to keep Britain safe.”

Ahead of last Saturday’s celebrations, the MP invited secretary Patrick Kenny and community support representative Sallyanne Kenny from Wath’s Royal British Legion to a parliamentary reception.

The event was hosted by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Healey.