AS THIS year’s Poppy Appeal gets under way, the Royal British Legion says that generous support of the appeal by local people is needed more than ever.
Last year, the poppy appeal in Frome and Nunney raised £19,600 and organisers are aiming to collect £20,000 this year as funds are as much in need as ever.
Jane Wood, poppy appeal organiser for Frome and Nunney, said that in tough times the target is a challenging one but the response to the appeal has always been phenomenal. Jane said, “It’s really very good. I think it’s because people know we cover all servicemen and their families – the Legion has a commitment to servicemen for the rest of their lives. People understand that we can help so many people and they genuinely care.
“The support for the troops is amazing, and I think people find the appeal a tangible way of showing their support, in a way that will benefit all troops and their families.”
Big band music to launch the appeal
In Frome, the appeal will be launched with a concert by the Frome Swing Band at the Merlin Theatre on Sunday 31st October at 2.00pm. The Frome Swing Band includes some veterans, and current service personnel from Yeovilton will also be present as guests of honour, along with the Mayor of Frome, cllr Helen Sprawson-White. The band features local musicians who play authentic sounds of the famous big bands of the past, including Glen Miller, Ted Heath, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman and others. Tickets are available from the Merlin Theatre on 01373 465949 or via www.merlintheatre.co.uk
Remembrance Sunday
Frome will stop to remember those who have been killed or wounded in past conflicts, on Sunday 14th November with a service outside the Memorial Theatre, starting at 10.55am. The parade will leave Keyford Drill Hall and march to the Memorial Theatre before the service starts. There will also be an evening service at St John’s Church at 6.30pm.
Nationally, this year alone, the Royal British Legion will spend more than £72 million by providing assistance to over 160,000 serving and ex-Service Armed Forces personnel and their families, as well as campaigning on their behalf. 2010 also saw the culmination of the Legion’s campaign to improve the compensation scheme for wounded personnel, and this came on the heels of the introduction of a free, independent legal advice scheme for bereaved families.
2011 is the 90th anniversary of the Royal British Legion and it aspires to raise £90million which will include money to provide for two major new projects.
The Legion has committed £25million over 10 years to cover the cost of running centres which will place it at the forefront of caring for the wounded of current conflicts. This will provide for the operation of Personnel Recovery Centres across the country.
The Legion will be in partnership with other Armed Forces charities, including Help for Heroes which is also investing £20million on the construction of purpose-built Personnel Recovery Centres in the towns of Colchester, Tidworth, Catterick and Edinburgh. The centres will be operated by the British Army in partnership with The Royal British Legion for personnel from all 3 services. The first of these, in Colchester, is expected to open in spring 2011.
Part of the £25million will also go towards the funding of a Challenge Centre. This will provide adventure training and sporting activity, delivered by a dedicated ‘Battle Back’ team, to challenge the injured and act as a ‘recovery accelerator’.