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British ex-pats turned out in force for the "Walk of Honour" yesterday afternoon along the seafront. The police have confirmed that 1200 turned out, which is incredible when you consider that it was all arranged by Mike Burgess, Head of Entertainment & Animacion at Camping Villamar in less than a week - showing the strength of feeling for the armed forces and respect following the murder of drummer Lee Rigby in London.

The start point was at the Rincon de Loix end of the Levante beach and the procession was led by two members of the Royal British Legion - John Derrick ,Vice Chairman of the Benidorm branch and senior member Richard from the Torrevieja branch - escorting bagpiper Drew Wilson in his beautiful full ceremonial outfit.


It was a sea of red, white & blue with plenty of Union Jack flags and clothing, Help for Hero T-Shirts and balloons proudly on display. Both residents and holiday makers took part - including many local  business owners such as Gary Brown of the Rich Bitch, aka Miss Jordan Rivers - proudly waving his union flag. Plenty of volunteers had collection buckets - some for the Help for Heroes charity and others for the Royal British Legion - both of which support our troops.



 
All along the route people stopped to watch the eye catching procession, waving, cheering and taking photographs - and it was most moving to see many of those sat on the terrace of Tiki Beach - often criticised for their rowdy behaviour stand and clap out of respect as they passed.

The parade was escorted by local police on motorbikes - often having to halt the oncoming traffic, even though the bulk of the parade was on the pavement. I think that they were surprised at such a big turnout.... but must be praised for the help and assistance given.

Every hundred metres or so the procession stopped for a few minutes break and many spectators approached the bagpiper wanting a photograph with him. The donation collectors went into all the bars along the front shaking their buckets and did a great job.

 
Julie, Chris, Tricia & Mike
 The walk ended at the far end of the Levante promenade and Mike gave a speech thanking those that helped make the day happen - the main people being Chris Cooke, Julie Davey, Tricia Devesa-Rhodes , Jose Angel Devesa Vigo and also Santiago Moreno Blasco for rushing through the authorisation - but also  the many others which helped distribute posters, sell raffles and spread the word. Collection buckets from the parade have been counted but more is yet to come from bars...

So far an incredible 3589.05 euros has been raised !

In addition the Royal British Legion collected 347 euros in their collection tins which will go towards the Poppy Appeal.

Lorna Gibb, an ex RAF servicewoman then read out a very moving prayer "All I Ask" written by Lt Col M.S.Boaz before a one minute silence was observed.

"I saw a soldier kneeling down,
for this was the first quiet place he had found.
He had traveled through jungles, rivers and mud
He´d tasted sweat and shed his blood.

He folded his hands and looked to the sky
I saw his tears, as they welled in his eyes.
He spoke to God, and this is what he said.
"God bless my men, who now lie dead"

I know not what You have in mind,
but when You judge them, please be kind
when they come before You, they will be poorly dressed
but they´ll walk proudly, for they have done their best.

Their boots will be muddy and their clothes all torn
but these clothes they have so proudly worn.
Their hearts will be still and cold inside,
for they have fought their best and did so with pride.

So please take care of them as they pass Your way
the price of freedom they´ve already paid"


Mike should be extremely proud of what he achieved and it was heartwarming to see so many attend the event - it certainly made everyone very proud to be British in Benidorm on the day!