Alabaré, a charity that supports vulnerable and marginalised people, has teamed up with the BBC’s Sewing Soldier, Lt. Col. Neil Stace to create ‘Flags of Thanks’, an exhibition of hand-made flags that honour the armed forces. The collaborative event will take place in the week long build up to the 2019 National Armed Forces Day celebrations hosted in Salisbury.

Between the 24th and 30th June, the public are invited along to view over 1,000 flags that will be displayed at St. Thomas’s church in Salisbury city centre.

The hand crafted flags have been created by passionate members of the general public from across the UK and further afield, as thanks to those who currently serve, veterans, and cadets. After the exhibition, the general public will be able to sponsor having a flag made into a practical item, such as a sleeping bag or quilt. Their sponsorship will go towards Alabaré’s Homes for Veterans, helping to change the lives of Armed Forces Veterans who are homeless and vulnerable.

Lt. Col. Neil Stace, also known as the Sewing Soldier following his appearance on the BBC's Great British Sewing Bee, has been spearheading the project, running workshops with schools and community groups, and will be transforming the flags into quilts, sleeping bags and ponchos.

Lt. Col. Neil Stace says;

“It has been a privilege to support Alabaré in their Flags of Thanks project. We have been overwhelmed by the amazing designs that we have received and such heartfelt messages of thanks. We are excited to share what is sure to be a moving tribute to our Armed Forces.”