Live ChatYorkshire Gunners raise awareness of VE Day
15 May 2020
Over a 10-day period between Friday, 8th May until Sunday 17th May, ten members of P Battery (The Dragon Troop), 5th Regiment Royal Artillery, based in Catterick Garrison, are running 7.5km each day to represent the 75th anniversary of VE Day. At the same time they are raising money for the North Yorkshire branch of SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.
The other members of the Battery are collectively running, walking or tabbing 1195km which adds up to 1945km collectively, symbolising the final year of the Second World War.
The 75th anniversary of VE Day was the moment that the guns across Europe fell silent and the war with Nazi Germany came to an end. After six years of conflict, which saw losses on the front line and the home front, hostilities officially ended at one-minute past midnight on the 8th May 1945. Celebrations erupted all over the nation, and the day has become enshrined in history as VE Day.
Major Steph Harris, Battery Commander, P Battery (The Dragon Troop) Royal Artillery said: “The regiment is due to move to Larkhill in Wiltshire next year and we wanted to say a big thank you to Yorkshire whilst remembering the efforts and sacrifice of those at home and abroad during WWII. The funds raised so far are fantastic, but we would like to raise as much money as possible to support the vital work SSAFA does within the Armed Forces Community.”