Support for troops and families on Armed Forces Day

Miah West's uncle Phillip West served for 25 years as a sergeant in the army

A Kent woman from a family who have nearly all served in the Armed Forces is raising funds for military personnel, veterans and their families on Armed Forces Day.

Miah West, 18, from Gravesend, who served as an army cadet for two years, will take part in London’s 13 Bridges Challenge on Saturday.

Her 10-mile (16km) walk will cross 13 bridges in the capital, to raise money for the Armed Forces charity SSAFA.

Events are taking place across Kent, Surrey and Sussex, including one of the South East's biggest events at the Historic Dockyard Chatham, which will have military parades, displays and bands.

Miah West, 18, served as an army cadet for two years

Ms West said her great-grandfather, great-grandmother, grandfather, father and uncle all served for various periods of time.

She said supporting veterans was important, to honour those who fought and continue to fight for our freedoms.

Ms West, who has arthritis, will be taking part in her first distance challenge.

“Every penny donated goes towards saving people’s lives and helping them out of horrific situations. If this isn't worth it, I don't know what is,” she said.

WW2 bombing raids

Tours of a restored air raid shelter under the playground of Downs Junior School, Brighton, which has been described by organisers as the city’s “best kept secret”, will take place on Saturday.

The school is home to the Take Shelter museum, which highlights the experiences of local children during World War Two bombing raids, and how communities adapted, including rationing, radio broadcasts, and the civilian gasmasks they used.

In Surrey, the Army Training Centre Pirbright and Pirbright Parish Council will hold a Picnic on the Green event, with bands, parades, face painting and bouncy castles.

A parish council spokesman said: “Showing support for Armed Forces Day provides a much-valued morale boost for the troops and their families and enables us to thank all those who put their country before themselves.”