A MYSTERY benefactor has given nearly £700 to enable a traditional Remembrance parade to go ahead.

As previously reported in The Northern Echo, organisers of the services in Willington had cancelled a parade due to the high cost of funding the road closure and insurance.

Willington Community Action said the £696.28 would be better spent on community projects and improving computer access for residents at their centre.

After reading the report, a man from Willington came forward and offered to give the money to the group to allow the parade, which traditionally links a wreath-laying at the war memorial to a service at St Stephen’s Church, to go ahead.

The benefactor said he would happily provide the funds but did not want to be identified.

Lillian Bennet from the town said it would have been a real shame if the parade had been cancelled.

She said: "It’s an important part of how we pay our respects to those who have fallen and it is amazing that somebody has made this very generous donation.

"I would like to thank them whoever they are for allowing this tradition to continue."

A spokeswoman for Willington Community Action said: "We are extremely grateful to the resident, we were very conscious that as a community we should honour the brave men and woman who laid down their lives and sacrificed their well-being that we may live in peace, as well as those who continue to serve."

Matthew Todd, a director at Willington Community Action, said he is in talks with officials at County Hall about future funding for the parade.

He said: "I have been informed that local authorities are fully responsible for covering any costs involved with Remembrance Day services and parades, however to date there has been no clear decision made as to whether they will cover the costs of this year’s parade."

Durham County Council Safety Advisory Group are processing the road closure application but they said do not envisage any problems with granting the bid.

Visitors are asked to congregate at the cenotaph next to the A690 at Low Willington at 2.45pm for a service at 3pm on Sunday. (NOV 13) The parade will then leave at 3.20pm arriving at the church at 3.40pm for a service, followed by refreshments.