Loftus Mayor Barry Hunt is doing something incredible this autumn to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War. He's sleeping out for ELEVEN nights at all the war memorials across East Cleveland, raising money for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, to help veterans struggling with issues like homelessness and mental health problems.
I am very proud to call Barry a friend and look forward to supporting him on his adventure. The Great War left its mark on every family and I'll be thinking of two of my own great-great uncles this year:
Captain Reginald George Smith (killed 5 May 1917, Vimy Ridge - pictured); and
Lieutenant John Headlam RFC (killed 30 May 1918, aged only 19).
You can make a donation to Barry's wonderful cause at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/loftustowncouncil. You can see precisely where he will be each night in the second image above.