5 October 2007
Support the RBL
Bordon soldiers recently returned from Afghanistan will join the local branch of the Royal British Legion at their Remembrance Day service at the war memorial on 11 November.
The Bordon branch is also urging local people to support the Legion in its campaigns for a just compensation scheme for those injured in service; for an independent scrutiny of service-related deaths; and for immediate access to health care for people injured in service.
The branch is asking people to write to their MP, councillors and local media asking for their support. "We can count on our servicemen – can they count on us?" asks Bordon branch secretary Steve Johnson.
The Royal British Legion was started by a Lance-Bombardier after the 1st World War who held raffles and other events to help unemployed ex-serviceman. The Earl Haig Fund then took over raising money, now The Poppy Appeal.
In 2006 the Appeal raised over £26m, with Hampshire raising a record £862,000. In 2003 Hampshire had 573 requests for help and gave out grants of £252,000 but by 2006 this had risen to 937 requests with grants of £937,000. In the first six months of 2007 there have already been 1,110 requests with grants of over £1.17m.
If anyone is seeking help they can call 023 8062 0900 in strictest confidence.
The Bordon branch itself has had a very active year and besides helping the local Poppy Appeal it won the cup for being the best in Hampshire with the Poppy Walk and runner-up for best branch without a club over the last three years.
They are very grateful for the help they received with the Poppy Appeal last year and if anyone wishes to help this year they should contact Peter on 01420 473 506 or go to www.poppy.org.uk