Middlesbrough Council has formed a partnership with the Yorkshire Regiment to show the soldiers how much support they have in the town.
The regiment has many recruits from Middlesbrough, and residents hold it in high regard.
The new year-long partnership will encourage local businesses to show their support for the soldiers through a Heroes Welcome scheme. It will also encourage people to raise money for the Yorkshire Regiment Benevolent Fund, which supports soldiers who have been discharged from the army.
In return, members of the regiment will participate in local fundraising events and help out with marshalling duties.
Mayor Ray Mallon organised the partnership after the regiment’s Freedom Parade highlighted how much pride the town has in its soldiers.
He said: “We owe our armed forces personnel a huge debt of gratitude. I hope local people will embrace this partnership and show their support to members of the regiment if they see them in the town over the coming year.”
Regimental Secretary Lieutenant Colonel David O’Kelly said: “The Yorkshire Regiment celebrates its fifth anniversary in 2011 and I can think of no better way to do this than through a partnership with Middlesbrough and the wider Teesside area.”
Flowerbeds in the town will display the regiment emblem and the regimental flag will fly from the Town Hall as part of the scheme. There will also be a regimental band concert at the Town Hall and members of the regiment will attend council-run events such as the Mela and the Cleveland Show.