The Poppy Appeal in Spain-North
POPPY APPEAL TOTAL FOR 2011 - ASTOUNDING
As 2011 had been such a difficult economic year, it was expected
that the Poppy Appeal for the District North area would reflect
this downturn. However, this was not the case
and the Poppy Appeal Co-ordinator Tony Dengate revealed that the
District had
raised a staggering 134,131.18€. This is an
increase of 25% over last year. Tony thanked all those who
helped raise the money for this tremendous result - the local
Legion Branches, their members and businesses, as well as the many
people who asked for boxes of poppies to distribute in their
areas. The Chairman and Committee of The Royal British Legion
in Spain would like to add their profound gratitude and thanks to
all their volunteers, those dedicated men and women who gave up so
much of their time to distribute Poppy boxes and collecting tins,
who spent hours of time at various shops and airports and who then
had to spend further hours counting it all!
Our thanks also goes to all those who gave so generously to the
Poppy Appeal this year. We couldn't run this charity without
your contributions and you are helping us to help our
people in need.
The last year was an extremely busy one for the Legion in
Spain. In April, in collaboration with the Diputación de
Alicante, we hosted the highly successful 90th
Anniversary Celebrations when many Spanish Mayors together with
dignitaries and Consuls from other European countries, joined us to
enjoy a truly memorable event. Photos of the performances are
able to be viewed on our website: www.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/spain-north.
On this site there is also information about
all our Branches as well as how we assist our beneficiaries in
Spain.
The Legion is well known for its support of those serving, and
who have previously served, in the British Armed Forces. Our
welfare caseworkers have also been busy during the past year.
Amongst our successes - have been 31 immediate need grants, in
three cases we were able to get assistance with War Pensions, and
12 were given support and
information. This is in addition to the many requests where
we have successfully "sign posted" those needing help.
Enquiries are varied and anyone who feels we may be able to assist,
is asked to ring our Welfare Co-ordinator on 676 451 780.
The Royal British Legion is at the forefront, constantly
campaigning on behalf of Armed Forces personnel in order to get the
best possible facilities and financial support for our
beneficiaries in times of great need. We acknowledge the
tremendous work undertaken by so many people in order to aid our
service men and women.
Thank you one and all.
Photo: Eddie Hefferman MBE (Overseas Trustee) Tony
Dengate (District Poppy Co-ordinator) and Chris Wyatt (District
Chairman)
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2011 Poppy Appeal Launch
The 91st Poppy Appeal was launched on 18th October at
Jávea. Anyone who feels they would like to assist either
delivering poppy boxes, or by displaying items in their businesses,
is asked to contact the District Poppy Appeal Organiser - poppy.rbl.dns@gmail.com
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Each year, in early November some 30,000 Legion volunteers take
to the streets of the UK with poppies and collecting boxes,
raising millions of pounds for the Poppy Appeal.
The money collected at this time and from numerous other
fundraising activities throughout the year, goes to providing help
and support to serving and ex-Service men and women and their
dependants.
The Poppy Appeal Launch 2010 at Torrevieja
The 2010 Poppy Appeal was launched by the British Consul, Paul
Rodwell on 8th October at the Lounge Bar, Torrevieja. Members
of the press, television and radio were joined by members from
local Branches to hear Tony Dengate, the District Poppy Appeal
Co-ordinator set the scene for this year's Appeal.
During the afternoon, Paul Rodwell presented Peggy Wyatt with a
long service award.
Here we see Chris Wyatt, District Chairman, reminding everyone
that the Legion has been supporting all our beneficiaries since
1921.
seated l to r - Wendy Dengate (District Welfare Co-ordinator),
Paul Rodwell (British Consul from Alicante) Tony Dengate (District
Poppy Appeal Co-ordinator) and Peggy Wyatt (District Public
Relations and Recruitment Officer)
In 2009, Spain-North raised over
101,000 Euros and hopes to increase on this
total for 2010(financial year calculated from Oct to Sep).
With 20 Branches in the District, this was a tremendous result and
thanks goes to all those who took part.
In Spain we are not permitted to have poppies and collecting
tins in the streets, so our boxes are displayed within bars,
restaurantes, supermarkets and other businesses.
Poppy People
We always need new volunteers - Poppy People - to assist
with Poppy Appeal collecting in Spain-North.
Without volunteer helpers, without appeal organisers
planning the collections, this great cause - that helps thousands
of ex-Service men and women every year - would grind to a halt.
And we urgently need to recruit more people as many of our
current volunteers are retiring from active duty. Add to this the
ever increasing demand on the Legion's services and you can see we
need your help more than ever.
Please contact our Poppy Appeal Coordinator
if you are interested in helping.
