HAVE you made your pledge?

Southampton’s mayor has made fresh calls for residents, businesses and community groups to make their own vow to mark the 50th anniversary of city status.

And Mayor Ivan White has also pledged to provide a new bench for the use of residents and visitors alike in one of Southampton’s city centre parks.

Cllr White isn’t the only one to have made a pledge to mark the anniversary.

The Daily Echo has vowed to highlight at least 50 positive articles about city life every month in 2014.

The Urban Sketchers Southampton group are encouraging residents to sketch some of the people, places and buildings that embody the city.

Southampton Festivals is highlighting 50 things for people to do for free or under £5 that highlight Southampton, its history, its talented residents and its communities.

Fifty iconic photographs of the city are being displayed in the arrivals hall at Southampton Airport, while taxi firm West Quay Cars has branded a number of its taxis with the 50th anniversary logo.

The Mayflower theatre is providing 50 local organisations with ten free tickets to shows over the next six months, while the Hampshire Chamber of Commerce is giving free membership for a year to the first 50 business start-ups this year.

Now Cllr White is calling for even more pledges to be made.

He said: “I am so pleased that charities, voluntary groups and individuals have joined in with the spirit of celebration of our 50th birthday.

“Every pledge has shown a different aspect of community involvement and I’m delighted that a variety of groups of people will gain from the activities and experiences so generously offered.”

If you want to make a pledge, contact Southampton Solent University by emailing pledges@solent.ac.uk or by calling 023 8031 9150.