Members of staff and young people from YMCAs across England paid their respects to the soldiers, volunteers and civilians who lost their lives in wartime at this year’s Remembrance Day parade, in London.
The national youth charity, whose civilian volunteers supported troops with food and rations throughout World War One, had 18 places reserved on the parade at the Cenotaph, on Whitehall, on Sunday 13 November.
Among those who attended were Denise Hatton, Chief Executive of YMCA England, the national council of YMCAs in England and Wales; Maria Goodwin, CEO of South Devon YMCA whose uncle was a World War Two prisoner of War; and Lenny Allen, from YMCA Black Country, whose father also fought in World War Two.
The representatives made their way down Whitehall pausing with the parade for the two-minute silence at 11am.
Denise Hatton said: “YMCA is proud to once again be a part of this year’s Remembrance Day parade as we pay our respects to all those lost in wartime.
“Our charity made a huge difference to the lives of troops and civilians in wartime, with our work in World War One particularly poignant this year as we mark 100 years since the start of the Battle of the Somme.
“It is important we now take a moment to remember those lost as the dangers of war continue to impact on young people and communities all over the world.”
During World War One:
- YMCA operated 2,000 War Centres that served two million hot drinks on the frontline.
- YMCA volunteers delivered hot soup to the men in the trenches, including during the Battle of the Somme.
- YMCA’s ‘Shakespeare Hut’ War Centre, in London, provided accommodation for soldiers and sailors who were resting from battle in the capital. It was reported in The Times newspaper in 1918 that up to 2,000 men were sleeping in the hut every week. After the war, the Shakespeare Hut was used as student accommodation and, eventually, money raised from their rents went to form the New Shakespeare Company.
In addition to remembering those who lost their lives in the two world wars, this year’s Remembrance Day Parade also asked the nation to ‘Rethink Remembrance’ and remember those in the Armed Forces all around the globe from today’s generation.
Ends
For more information or to request an interview with a YMCA representative, please contact Andrew Mortimer, Communications Manager, at andrew.mortimer@ymca.org.uk or call 020 7186 9543.
YMCA in England and Wales
- Founded in 1844, YMCA in England and Wales is made up of 133 member YMCAs working to ensure that young people have opportunities to thrive and contribute positively to their communities.
- YMCA operates in almost 660 different communities in England and Wales impacting upon the lives of more than 600,000 people every year.
- YMCAs provide nearly 11,000 beds for young people every night. YMCA is the largest voluntary sector provider of safe, supported accommodation for young men and women.
- YMCA in England and Wales enables 53,000 people every year to engage in education, skills and training to enable them to improve their opportunities in the job market.
- YMCA is the largest voluntary sector provider of health and wellbeing services promoting physical activity.