Bexley is set to host a day packed with fun this Saturday as the community celebrates uniformed services.

Welling Town Business Associates CIC, Bexleyheath BID, and Demon Ink have collaborated to host the Uniformed Services Day on Saturday, July 13.

The highlight of this year's event will be a truck pull challenge featuring a massive 32-ton MAN SVR Military recovery vehicle.

The last time this challenge was attempted was in 2013.

Uniformed Services Day is expected to be the largest event of its kind within the Bexley Borough.

The purpose of the day is to bring the community together to interact with and celebrate various uniformed services like the Army, Fire Brigade, Police, and others.

The spectacle will start at 10am on Bexleyheath Broadway and run until 5pm.

The truck pull challenge will begin at 12pm from Bellegrove Road, Welling, and is estimated to arrive at the pedestrianised area of Bexleyheath Broadway at 1pm.

The day will wrap up at 5pm.

Three teams of 12 individuals will participate in the truck pull and participants represent different groups, including Demon Ink Tattoo Studio, which is made up of team members and friends of the award-winning tattoo parlour based on Welling High Street, London Fire Brigade; and JLR Group, a UK construction specialist and the event’s main sponsor.

All funds raised from this truck pull challenge will be distributed among three charities, with the primary beneficiary being We Are Beams.

You can donate here.

This organisation strives to provide comprehensive support services to children and young people with physical, learning, or sensory impairments in Dartford, Bexley, Gravesham, Sevenoaks, and surrounding areas.

Additional attractions include displays of Army, Fire Brigade, and Police vehicles and equipment, gazebos and information stands containing various uniformed services, and local market stalls offering hot food.

A cadet marching band will lead a parade followed by a low loader adorned in a military theme, with a procession of military vehicles escorted by Police and security personnel.

Uniformed Services Day has been an annual event in Welling since 2010, taking a break only during the COVID-19 pandemic and seeks to highlight the essential work undertaken by various uniformed services besides fostering community spirit.

Quote from the Organiser, Barry Saunders: "We are so excited to host this special event between the two towns of Welling and Bexleyheath within the Bexley Borough.

“The pedestrianised area of Bexleyheath Broadway will be used to display Army, Fire Brigade, and Police vehicles and equipment that are used daily within their services plus many more that are not often seen by the public.

“The event gives these services a perfect stage to engage with the public and showcase their professions.

“We will also have hot food and market traders in the high street. This will be the biggest event held within the Bexley Borough, and we hope everyone comes out to support us."

Barry continues, "We will be pulling a 32-ton Army recovery vehicle with three teams of 12 men and women. The pull will start from Bellegrove Road, Welling from midday and head to the Broadway of Bexleyheath, approximately two miles away.

“Each team will pull in aid of their chosen charity, with all funds raised being split between them."

Quote from the Organiser, Caron Linyard, Bexleyheath’s Town Centre Manager: "We are thrilled to host this event and for our community to come together for these very special charities.

“The Uniformed Services Day is a fantastic opportunity for us to celebrate the dedication and hard work of our uniformed services while creating a sense of unity and pride within the Bexley Borough.

“It's a day for families, friends, and businesses to connect, have fun, and support a great cause. We can't wait to see everyone there."