A bus company is offering free travel to North East veterans and armed forces members on Remembrance Sunday.
Go North East is running this initiative on all its services to honour the sacrifices made by service personnel, including those veterans now serving their communities as part of the Go North East team.
Numerous former military personnel play crucial roles across the company, and their switch from military to public service is central to Go North East’s Remembrance Day tribute.
Among them is Peter Gibson, a former member of the King's Own Royal Border Regiment who served in Northern Ireland, the Falklands, and Bosnia.
He has been with Go North East for 20 years as a bus station supervisor in Sunderland.
Peter said: "I’m proud to have served my country in the military, and now I’m just as proud to serve the people of this region.
"The free travel initiative this weekend is a great way to show that support."
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Andrew Heaps, a former RAF serviceman turned driver, says Remembrance Day is deeply personal.
"We must never forget the sacrifice of those who have served," he said.
Brian Thompson, a former Royal Regiment of Fusiliers member who served two tours in Iraq, now brings his leadership skills to Go North East as a driver and mentor.
He said: "Being a mentor to new drivers gives me a sense of purpose and pride, just as I had in my military career.
"The free travel initiative is our gesture of appreciation."
Graeme Tatters, a relief operations supervisor in Sunderland and former First Light Infantry member, served three tours in Iraq.
"I love guiding new drivers and passing on the values I learned in the service," Graeme said.
Go North East’s ‘poppy bus’, adorned with poppies and the phrase 'Remembering all who served, sacrificed and changed the world', will take part in the Consett Remembrance Parade.
Go North East driver, Alex Goldsmith, will lay a wreath on behalf of the company at the cenotaph.
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