SERVICEMEN and women past and present put on their walking shoes to take part in a special event celebrating the Armed Forces.

The group met at Carterton Leisure Centre in Broadshires Way on Wednesday for the one-mile walk, organised as part of Forces Week. The Week, which runs until Tuesday, is organised by the Yellow Ribbon Foundation — set up by Carterton residents Emma Cheedy and Victoria Evans.

Leisure centre instructor Debbie Cameron organised the walk on behalf of the foundation.

She said: “We were approached by the Yellow Ribbon Foundation to see if we could put out a collection tin for them in our reception.

“As the Go Active activator here, I thought it would be great to have some sort of event to mark the occasion.

“The walk was a good way of getting out some acting servicemen from RAF Brize Norton and former servicemen and women.”

One of the people who took part was Peter Madden, 75, chairman of the Carterton branch of the Royal British Legion. The former Flight Lieutenant who served in the RAF for more than 30 years, said he was proud to be there.

He added: “It’s nice to see people coming out and showing the lads in the forces that they appreciate what they do.

“Forces Week is not specific to Carterton, but we seem to be a bit more energetic about it here.”

Barbara Goudal, 61, who also served in the RAF for four years as a corporal, said she wanted to do her bit to show her support “particularly in a town like Carterton”.

She added: “Most of us here have either served in the forces or have a loved one in the forces. That’s what makes the town so interesting.”

RAF physical training instructors Corporals Rob Gale, 32, and Phil Quick, 28, based at Brize Norton, also took part.

Cpl Gale said: “Forces Week and events like this are nice because it shows that what we are doing is appreciated. When you are coming back from places like Afghanistan and Iraq, this a good thing to see.”

Cpl Quick said: “It’s also nice to get out into the community and meet people and give them a taste of what we get up to on the base.”

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