Purple Pete: Leeds SSAFA Armed Forces charity fundraiser to take part in Remembrance Day London Cenotaph march

Pete Forbes from Leeds, otherwise known as ‘Purple Pete’, will be taking part in the Cenotaph march-past on Remembrance Sunday for SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity.

Since 1885 SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been a trusted source of support for serving personnel, veterans, and their families in their time of need.

Mr Forbes received help from the charity in 2013 when his wife suddenly passed away in Germany.

SSAFA stepped in to help Mr Forbes and his daughter bring his wife’s ashes back to the UK.

The charity also helped fly Mr Forbes’ daughter back to the UK for the ceremony when his wife’s ashes were laid to rest in Winchester.

Mr Forbes said: “[SSAFA] were absolutely brilliant. I don’t think I would have been able to get my daughter flown over from Germany for the laying to rest of the ashes if it hadn't been for the help from SSAFA.

“One of the volunteers came round to pay a personal visit. They were absolutely amazing, so, so helpful, so supportive, so kind and generous. They just couldn't do enough.”

After leaving the service Mr Forbes met his second wife Angie, and his choice of purple clothing is in homage to her late mother.

He has twice completed the 13 Bridges Challenge for SSAFA and has become one of the faces of the charity.

Mr Forbes will be taking part in the London Cenotaph march-past on Sunday (Nov 10).