Lee Cattermole has paid tribute to the extensive work of members of the Armed Forces as Sunderland AFC join the country in their annual Remembrance Commemorations.
Last month the club welcomed soldiers from the household division based at ITC Catterick, as the Black Cats continued their long-standing support for Armed Forces charities at the Stadium of Light.
Hundreds of serving military personnel, veterans groups and families of soldiers who have lost their lives in the service of their country visited the Stadium of Light for Sunderland’s Premier League fixture against Arsenal.
And earlier this week, the midfielder went even further and met up with former rifleman Steve Sutton who has been on the Foundation of Light’s employability programme.
"It's well documented and highlighted from the work across the Premier League and Sunderland are no different," he said.
"We are very proud of the work they have done and in the same token if we can help them in anyway then I'm sure we will do that.
“It has been very nice to meet Steve because he was served for a long time. He has been involved in the Foundation and while it must have been very difficult for him he has managed to get himself on his feet.
“It is nice to come down and support him, he is a Sunderland fan so it makes it even better and we can only thank him for the service he has given us for our country.
David Jeffries, from the Foundation of Light, added: “Steve is living testament to the harrowing things people have gone through.
“It’s unthinkable as civilians because it doesn’t really hit home until you hear it first hand and you see a development in people.
“It’s lovely to see and great for the other veterans we work with.”