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A soldier's helmet upturned on a sandy beach

We have paid tribute to all those who lost their lives in the D-Day landings on the 80th anniversary of the 1944 military action.

On June 6, 2024, the UK came together to remember the soldiers who stormed the beaches of Normandy on June 6, 1944, during the Second World War.

Beacons were lit across the country to honour the memory of the brave troops who took part in the operation that proved pivotal for the Allied Forces.

Our Pro Vice-Chancellor (Colleges and Student Experience), Jeremy Cook, himself a former British Army Commanding Officer, represented the University at the Beacon Lighting Ceremony in the City of Durham.

The Deputy Lieutenant of Durham, Cyndi Hughes, made a speech commemorating the historic occasion at our Annual Volunteering Awards ceremony, an event to celebrate the work of students and staff in our community.

Lending our support

We are proud to support our Armed Forces and we hold an award from the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Awards Scheme (ERS).

The Scheme acknowledges employers who have provided exceptional support to the Armed Forces community by going above and beyond their covenant pledges.

As part of the pledge, we agreed to ensure those who serve or who have served in the Armed Forces, and their families, should be treated with fairness and respect in the communities, economy and society they serve.

We have approximately 200 staff who are either Veterans, Reservists, Officer Cadets, members of the Universities Military Education Committee or volunteer for a Service charity.

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