I wrote last week in my column about the Veterans Minister coming to Hartlepool and meeting with people from Hartlepool who had served in the Armed Forces.

I’d written that Hartlepool is a strong military town and I certainly had evidence of that in the days after my column was published in the Hartlepool Mail. I have never been stopped quite so much by people in Hartlepool about an article I’d written. I was stopped in York Road after buying five pork pies from Morrell’s – yes five, but in my defence they weren’t all for me. I was stopped at the match on Saturday, where somebody thanked me for acknowledging the importance of veterans. This all demonstrates to me, if proof were needed, that we in Hartlepool are very proud of our military, and wish to acknowledge the debt of gratitude we all owe the brave men and women who have served in the Forces in the past.

However, this is not a history lesson. That bravery is very much evident in the men and women who are serving in the Forces now. They are often a long way from home, separated from friends, family and loved ones, and in very dangerous situations like Afghanistan. Since the start of the month, we have tragically lost six brave soldiers in the southern part of Afghanistan. The bravery of all of our troops, and particularly of those who have fallen, is astonishing, and something we should never forget. Their love of their country and their wish to defend it against extremists who wish to destroy our way of life is something which I think is admired and respected by the vast majority of people in Hartlepool.

It must be gratifying if you are a soldier serving in Afghanistan knowing that the country you have left behind and for whom you are fighting are fully supportive of you. You must be pleased if your community is pulling together to ensure that it can demonstrate its support.

That is certainly what took place on Saturday night at the Navy Club. Lisa Whitehead, who is the most energetic dynamo I have ever met, took charge and organised a marathon darts and snooker session to promote Help for Heroes. For 12 hours, many people from the town took part in the sessions to demonstrate their support for our troops and to raise money.

It was great to see so many people enjoy themselves whilst doing something for a good cause. When I arrived at the Navy Club, at about 9 o’clock on the evening, I saw little sign of flagging.

With her energy and determination, it looks likely that Lisa has helped raise about £2,000 to show the town’s support for the troops. She did this with limited publicity. Although she has demonstrated her help for heroes, I think Lisa is a hero herself.