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Volunteers

It is our volunteers and supporters who form the backbone of the organisation. Without them we would miss not just the money they raise on our behalf, but the enthusiasm and human touch which they bring to the work they do for us. Any time is valuable - whether you have just an hour a week, or a day per week. Do you have the time to help us?

Who we need

We need people of all ages to help us in a range of different areas, depending on your interest and also how much time you can spare. Just an hour or two a week can make all the difference.

There are four main areas where we need you to help:

The Poppy Appeal
Volunteer Casework
Hospital & Housebound Visitors
Fundraising events

The Poppy Appeal

Poppy Collector Poppy Appeal Collectors form the 'frontline' of our annual Poppy Appeal, standing on the street corners, collecting money from passers by. Their role is twofold:

helping to raise a huge amount towards the £75 million which the Legion spends each year on its welfare work
reminding the public at large about the importance of Remembrance

Poppy Appeal Organisers co-ordinate the appeal in local areas. Their key tasks are:

organising the volunteer Poppy Appeal Collectors in their area
distributing collecting trays to local businesses and keeping them stocked up
collecting and banking the Poppy money raised by the Poppy Appeal collectors

Volunteer Casework

Volunteer caseworkers are active in the local community the whole year round:

giving advice and assistance in claiming state benefits
providing support through family crises such as bereavement
obtaining advice and assistance on pensions
assisting people applying for long-term residential and nursing care and short term respite breaks
providing information on other local and national welfare organisations
supporting homeless ex-Service people

'I wanted to give something back to the older generation who gave up so much for me. Yet I now know that the charity does much more than that: I have helped men and women, young and old, with a wide range of concerns and needs. I really feel that being a caseworker means that I have a positive impact on people's lives.'

- Volunteer Caseworker - Janine Woodward

Hospital & Housebound Visitors

Visiting hospitals or the housebound This is one of the oldest of the Legion’s schemes, and encapsulates what our welfare network is all about - people looking out for each other. Sometimes ex-Service men and women who are either housebound or in hospital have no contact with the outside world. So the couple of hours our Visitors spend with them can mean the world.

Fundraising events

We organise many fundraising events throughout the year, such as Pedal to Paris, and we're always looking for volunteers to take part. Some of our supporters even run the London Marathon for us. Not only is it an opportunity for people to raise vital funds for the Legion but is also gives them the chance to set themselves personal challenges, and also have a lot of fun!

Click here to visit the Legion's Poppy Bikes website.