Wales Poppy Appeal

"AFGHANISTAN GENERATION" THE  FOCUS OF 2010 POPPY APPEAL

 

The Royal British Legion's 2010 Poppy Appeal in Wales will target support for the wounded and bereaved of the British Armed Forces serving in Afghanistan.

Under the motto, "put on a poppy," the Poppy Appeal was launched on 28th October at RAF Valley by David Jones MP Minister, Wales Office, and recent RAF veterans

"The Royal British Legion is the leading UK charity providing direct, practical support for our injured heroes and bereaved Armed Forces families," said North Wales RBL District Manager, Mike Greenwood. "The past nine years of conflict have increased the need for our help both today and for years to come."

The Poppy Appeal in Wales will seek to equal or better last year's amount raised of £2.6 million said Community Fundraiser, Kevin Forbes. Nationally, the Poppy Appeal is seeking to raise a record-breaking £36 million.

"Despite the current economic times, we trust the people of Wales will show their sympathy and support for those who have sacrificed on behalf of their country."

This weekend (30th October) is the 70th Anniversary the end of the Battle of Britain. It is very fitting that RAF personnel will help to launch the Poppy Appeal. Those involved are all recent veterans of the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and are pleased to stand with us 'Shoulder to Shoulder with all those who serve'

6-8  Service personnel of the Afghan generation with recent experience overseas will launch the Wales Poppy Appeal 2010. This is a group of mixed gender and at least one female combat pilot is included in the group.  It is hoped that Flt Lt Jules Fleming (one of only a few female Tornado pilots) will be present.

The Legion has provided financial help to more than 10,000 Service personnel who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families. "We represented one-third of all the appeals for higher compensation payments for injuries suffered in Afghanistan," District Manager Mike Greenwood said. "And our campaigns have led to increased compensation awards which have placed an extra £12 million in the pockets of the most seriously injured."

The Legion currently spends more than a £1.4 million a week or over £200,000 a day in its work helping over 160,000 other members of the Armed Forces Family - dependents, veterans and the bereaved.

The Royal British Legion's 2010 Poppy Appeal will target support for the injured, wounded and bereaved of Afghanistan with a sobering poster campaign featuring Emma-Jayne Webster, the fiancée of a young soldier who was killed in Afghanistan last year and Gunner Mark Stonelake a soldier who lost a leg fighting in Afghanistan.

The Royal British Legion is the nation's leading Armed Forces charity providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. It is also the national Custodian of Remembrance and safeguards the Military Covenant between the nation and its Armed Forces. It is best known for the annual Poppy Appeal and its emblem, the red poppy. www.britishlegion.org.uk

 

 

For further information please contact

K Forbes

Community Fundraiser

PO Box 2254

Wrexham LL11 0DA

kforbes@britishlegion.org.uk

07876476790

 

Useful links

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2010/10/29/raf-valley-pilot-helps-to-launch-welsh-poppy-appeal-55578-27563026/

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-11637786