New Armed forces champions for district
News release issued:
Wyre Forest has two new Armed Forces Champions. Councillor Kevin Gale and Councillor Alan Sutton have been officially appointed to the role.
Armed Forces Champions aim to help strengthen the relationship between the council and the armed forces community.
Councillors Gale and Sutton were nominated by the Leader of the Council, Councillor Marcus Hart. They have both previously served in the armed forces.
Councillor Marcus Hart said:
“I am delighted to appoint both Councillor Sutton and Councillor Gale to be our Armed Forces Champions. They are going to be helping facilitate support to individuals connected to the armed forces. The sorts of things they will be doing includes unblocking any issues veterans may have around housing or employment or signposting them to any support that is required. Armed Forces Champions also support our engagement with residents, local businesses, community groups, partner organisations and the armed forces.”
Councillor Alan Sutton served in the army for six years between 1985 and 1991. He was with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and completed tours of Northern Ireland with 321 EOD Company and America with 101st Airborne Brigade. He is now a supporter of Campaign Force, whose mission is to encourage veterans to serve again in public life. They help them to ‘Stand Up and Serve Again.’
Councillor Alan Sutton said:
“I really welcome the opportunity to take on this role. I’m eager to get stuck in and build on the work which has already been done to strengthen our relationship further with the armed forces community.”
Councillor Kevin Gale served in the army for 17 years. He joined in 1977 and trained and served with the Royal Artillery. He was stationed in Germany for most of his career and enjoyed postings to Canada, Cyprus and a UN Tour. He was also deployed to Saudi Arabia during the Gulf War. He is a trustee of Stepway, a local armed forces group. The group offers support and helps veterans who have fallen on hard times to get their lives back on track.
Councillor Kevin Gale said:
“I am extremely proud to represent the district as Armed Forces Champion. It is a role my wife had carried out since 2016. It is important to us that those who serve or have served in His Majesty’s Armed Forces are appreciated and represented for the contributions that they have made.”
More information about the Armed Forces Community Covenant for Worcestershire can be found on our armed forces webpage.