Who we help

The Royal British Legion helps people of all ages and backgrounds.  To be eligible for our help, you must have served in the Forces for at least 7 days, or be the dependant of someone who has served.  It really is that simple.  Some examples of people we have helped recently are below.

Daniel

Daniel served in the Army for 7 years as a loader operator of the battle tank 'Challenger 2'. In March 2003, his tank was fired on. Daniel was lucky to survive, but two of his comrades were killed outright, and he himself was left with severe shrapnel wounds to his face and jaw, as well as significant hearing loss. 

Since the incident, Daniel has had to undergo over 20 operations, including skin grafts and plastic surgery, to try and repair the disfigurement to his face and body.

It was whilst organising a Remembrance service for his two comrades that Daniel discovered that he was eligible for Legion assistance. Since he got in touch with us, we have helped him obtain the War Disablement Pension he deserves, and also helped him to pay for a much needed special moisturising treatment for all his skin grafts.

Recently, Daniel said: "Before I approached the Legion I had no idea that they could help young ex-Service people like me. Now I look at the poppy in a new light, knowing the lifeline that it provides to Service leavers like me".

Shirley

Whilst serving in Iraq in 2004, Shirley was injured in a rocket attack. As soon as she was back on her feet, she carried on doing her duties for the next 6 weeks. During this time, however, she began to show signs of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Agoraphobia and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, until she was medically discharged in October 2005.

To add to matters, Shirley was pregnant by this time, but her relationship with the father had ended. So, still struggling with her own health, and not receiving any help from the Army, Shirley had nowhere to live. She had no option but to move around the country visiting various friends and relatives. The council told her she would not be eligible for accommodation until her baby was born, and then it would just be a bed-sit.

Thankfully, a Homeless Unit in Torquay put her in touch with the Legion. We immediately stepped in to help, finding a flat for Shirley and her new baby Dylan, and making sure that her first month's rent and deposit were taken care of. We also supplied her with various white goods - a cooker, fridge-freezer and washing machine - things that can make all the difference to a new mother. Dylan was lucky to receive a nursery package, including a new pram, a high chair, and a stairgate. So now, with our help, Shirley is able to look forward to the future - both her own and Dylan's.

Bill

Bill served in the RAF during the Second World War, and was involved in clandestine operations behind the lines on D-Day. Now, however, over 60 years on, Bill suffers from tinnitus and deafness, which he feels is as a result of his time in the Services. Back in 1994, we helped him to get the War Pension he really deserved, and also got him a hearing aid. The local Legion welfare worker even went with him to get it fitted.

More recently, Bill's wife has sadly been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and he was finding it really hard to take care of her. Luckily, we were able to help him find the best place for her to be taken care of. Bill says now, "Without the Legion I do not know what I would have done when my wife fell ill. The Legion made all the difference at a very difficult time".