Armed forces support

South Tyneside Council is supporting the National Veterans' Walk charity to create a new walkway feature in the North Marine Park in South Shields.

It will be made up of personalised stones bearing the names, regiment and years of service of both serving and former members of the armed forces.

Granite plaques

Orders are now being taken for the granite plaques, which can be bought by service men and women themselves or by their loved ones as a gift or tribute to others as A Lasting Tribute to Proud Service.

The stones are priced at £299 each, available to order through the National Veterans Walk website. 

The names of those dedicated are also added to the National Veterans' Walk Roll of Honour.

A way of paying tribute

It will be a wonderful tribute, not only to those servicemen and women who have passed away, but to military personnel who continue to sacrifice so much for their country.

The beautiful, personalised stones that will make up this new footpath will act as a permanent reminder of their proud service for future generations to see and reflect. It's an honour to be supporting the charity to create this special addition in North Marine Park, and only feet away from our beloved Tommy sculpture.

Once a batch of engraved stones are processed, and subject to planning permission, the stones will be laid in phases.

The new pathway follows a similar tribute in Sunderland's Mowbray Park - the first of its kind in the UK - in a project set up by the family of Private Nathan Cuthbertson, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2008, and city businessman Rob Deverson.