The new facility at Normandy Barracks, Sennelager, will provide residential accommodation for 9 for wounded, injured and sick personnel and will also have capacity for a further 6 day attendees.

It has been positioned in Sennelager to take advantage of the full range of facilities required for effective recovery which are present within the well-established garrison area, including welfare, medical rehabilitation, education and resettlement.

The Royal British Legion is the major financial contributor, providing £600,000, with the Army Central Fund providing £224,000.

The facility has been named Brydon House, after William Brydon CB, an assistant surgeon in the British East India Company Army.

The opening was covered by BFBS TV and the report can be viewed below or on their YouTube channel.

Members of the Legion's Riders Branch in Wiltshire are cycling from Devizes to Westminster along the towpath used for the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race to raise money for the Poppy Appeal.

The event is taking place over the weekend of the 6th, 7th and 8th of July 2012.

You can make a donation via their website. 

Legion member Michael Brown, pictured left, will be attempting to break the World Endurance Record of 219 hours (9 days 3 hours) total journey time for running solo from John O'Groats to Land's End (840 miles).

Michael will be supported all the way by the Legion's Riders Branch and by his running team the Birchfield Harriers.  All donations will go to the Poppy Appeal.

Michael will set off on his attempt on 13 April from John O'Groats and will run day and night, taking only four to five hours sleep every other night at the side of the road.  He is an experienced 'ultra' runner who regularly races mountain marathons in the fells.

You can sponsor Michael on his JustGiving site.

The team will be leaving Warminster Central Car Park at 9.00 am on Saturday 26th May 2012, then, driving to Poole Quay, Dorset for the Official Start of their latest Albion Adventure.

The 1937 Albion lorry will be visiting the following towns during its intrepid 3,700 mile adventure around the coast. For more information visit the www.another-albionadventure.co.uk website.

1 BRIGHTON
2 MARGATE
3 BURNHAM ON CROUCH
4 HOLLESLEY
5 HUNSTANTON
6 GRIMSBY
7 WHITBY
8 NEWTON BY SEA
9 BUCKHAVEN
10 PETERHEAD
11 INVERNESS
12 THURSO
13 ULLAPOOL
14 STRATHCARRON
15 FORT WILLIAM
16 GOUROCK
17 PORT WILLIAM
18 CARLISLE
19 CARNFORTH
20 PRESTATYN
21 CAERNARFON
22 MACHYNLLETH
23 PEMBROKE
24 SWANSEA
25 WATCHET
26 NEWQUAY
27 FALMOUTH
28 TORQUAY
29 POOLE/WARMINSTER

The hats are knitted by members of the public for troops in Afghanistan to wear under their helmets.  Temperatures in Afghanistan can plummet at night and soldiers sometimes put rags under their helmets to keep warm. 

Before long people had caught the Beanie Bug and a Facebook page was created.  Thus far, over 4000 hats have been delivered to Julie Dove, The Royal British Legion's Community Fundraiser for Cheshire, who sent out a poster and a knitting pattern to all the wool shops in Cheshire.

Julie said "When I was asked by Diana Ceiluch of Beeston to back her project to knit for the troops, I was happy to do so. It has emphasised the fact that the Legion is focussed on supporting serving soldiers as much as ex-Servicemen and women. I have also had the opportunity to recruit volunteers for the Poppy Appeal from amongst the many knitters who have phoned for the knitting pattern."

Students from Chester University also helped to promote the project, creating the Facebook Beanie Bug page and knitting hats themselves.

Pictured: WO1 RSM Kelly Ferrant of 75 Engineers, Peninsula Barracks, Cheshire.

Wearing full combat gear and carrying a bergan, the equivalent to a soldier's combat load of 50lb, Capt Gregory, 33, clocked up the miles during charity runs across the country including the Richmond Castle Run and the Exeter Half Marathon.

Capt Gregory, who heads for his first tour of Afghanistan later this month, said: "I chose to support The Royal British Legion because they provide assistance to all three services - the Army, Navy and RAF with immediate welfare needs, but I also selected the Legion because of the lobbying work it carries out for Service and ex-Service men and women and their families. I wanted the money I had raised to go to an organisation that supported the wider Armed Forces effort."

Capt Gregory's fiancé Helen Waters contributed to his fundraising total by baking and selling cupcakes.

Elizabeth Hughes, community fundraiser for the Legion in North and East Yorkshire applauded Capt Gregory's efforts. She said: "We are extremely grateful to Capt Gregory for his marathon fundraising efforts. He has definitely gone the extra mile for the Legion, managing to find time for training runs and fundraising despite being busily involved in his preparations for deployment to Afghanistan. The funds he has donated will go straight towards helping our Armed Forces family.

The Legion is the UK's leading service charity helping Service personnel past and present and their families. We are there to help all of the Armed Forces - including those involved in conflict today - now and for the rest of their lives.

The Legion is working with Help for Heroes in partnership with the MoD to provide a defence recovery capability.  In Catterick itself the Legion is contributing £850k per annum for the next 10 years to the operating costs of a Personnel Recovery and Assessment Centre to help wounded, sick and injured Armed Forces personnel recover. This is part of our overall pledge of £50 million which will help injured personnel to recover, including £30 million for The Battle Back Centre for sport and adventure training and a further three Personnel Recovery Centres across the UK."

Capt Gregory's Commanding Officer Colonel Andy Reynolds of the Royal Artillery said: "The funds raised by Mark will continue to add to the important work of The Royal British Legion which stands Shoulder to Shoulder with all who Serve."

700 veterans of the British Berlin Garrison are heading back to the German capital over the weekend of 11-13 May 2012 for a special train. The chartered steam train will retrace the steps of the British Military Train, which linked West Berlin with the British Zone of then-West Germany between 1945 and 1990.

It has been revived as a joint operation by a UK-based group of retired military and civilian railwaymen and The Royal British Legion Berlin Branch, who will be using the train as a fund-raiser for their welfare work among the British "stay behinds" from Berlin Infantry Brigade and RAF Gatow who have seen the city they defended change out of all recognition round them.

A programme of activities will include a visit to Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr, Berlin Gatow, (prev RAF Gatow), where additional entertainment will be provided by the Black Kilts Pipe Band and 1940s singer, pin-up and burlesque star Kitten von Mew.

Tickets for the train, which cost £90 for 2nd class, and £125 for 1st Class, can be reserved on line through www.trainofevents.co.uk, by phone on 07982 786529, or in person at The Royal British Legion Branch in Berlin.

Further information
Neil Howard, Project Manager - 2012 Berliner T: (UK) 07982 786529
Frank Knox, Deputy Chairman, Royal British Legion Berlin. T: (D) 0049 303 062015 or visit the
Berlin Branch website

700 veterans of the British Berlin Garrison are heading back to the German capital over the weekend of 11-13 May 2012 for a special train. The chartered steam train will retrace the steps of the British Military Train, which linked West Berlin with the British Zone of then-West Germany between 1945 and 1990.

It ran literally across the front line of the Cold War, operated by a unique and highly political partnership of British Army railwaymen and German rail staff. It trundled into the history books when the Wall fell, and has not turned a wheel for 21 years.

The train became a cold war icon for the very British menu served in the Dining Car, and the Soviet security rituals it endured at the border station at Marienborn. The external doors were chained shut to prevent East German citizens using it as an escape route from the communist German Democratic Republic, and it conveyed a travelling guard of six armed soldiers. The train ran every day except Christmas Day and an 11-month period in 1948-9 when Berlin was blockaded by Stalin.  

It has been revived as a joint operation by a UK-based group of retired military and civilian railwaymen and The Royal British Legion Berlin Branch, who will be using the train as a fund-raiser for their welfare work among the British "stay behinds" from Berlin Infantry Brigade and RAF Gatow who have seen the city they defended change out of all recognition round them.

A programme of activities will include a visit to Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr, Berlin Gatow, (prev RAF Gatow), where additional entertainment will be provided by the Black Kilts Pipe Band and 1940s singer, pin-up and burlesque star Kitten von Mew.

Tickets for the train, which cost £90 for 2nd class, and £125 for 1st Class, can be reserved on line through www.trainofevents.co.uk, by phone on 07982 786529, or in person at The Royal British Legion Branch in Berlin.

Further information
Neil Howard, Project Manager - 2012 Berliner T: (UK) 07982 786529
Frank Knox, Deputy Chairman, Royal British Legion Berlin. T: (D) 0049 303 062015 or visit the Berlin Branch website

December

Officers Recreate Captain Scott's Race to the South Pole - BBC News Online

Military Wives Take Christmas No.1 - Sunday Express

Military Wives Are Christmas No.1 After Selling 556,000 Copies in a Week - Daily Mail

Soldiers Race to the South Pole Over Christmas - Channel 4 News

Military Wives Choir Set to be Christmas No.1 with Wherever You Are - The Mirror

Tax from Military Wives' single will go to charity - The Telegraph

Military covenant latest: Royal British Legion 2, Government 0 - The Guardian

Military Wives single is 'fastest selling in six years' - BBC Online

The Sun makes forces kids' Christmas dreams come true - The Sun

'We've found our voices' - The Sunday Telegraph

Our Girls are No.1 - Daily Star Sunday

Combat boots that deflect roadside bombs being designed at new £8m research centre - The Telgraph online

New £8m centre leads IED research - BFBS

New £8m blast injury research centre opens at Imperial College - BBC Online

Injured British troops faced with awful dilemma after roadside blasts - The Guardian

The theatre of war; extraordinary group of 30 injured troops take to West End stage to aid their recovery - Daily Mail online

Military Wives set to beat X-Factor winner for Christmas No. 1 - Metro

November

Military wives battle for Xmas No.1 - The Sun

Veterans to get better help - BBC online

Portrait marks Queen's 85th Birthday - Skyport Heathrow

Chief Coroner battle won after RBL fight - BFBS

Chief Coroner: Royal British Legion welcomes u-turn - BBC Online

Clarke U-turn over chief coroner - BBC Online

Ken Clarke in U-turn over vow to scrap chief coroner after Royal British Legion campaign - Daily Mirror

Forces joy as Ken Clarke heeds Afghan widow's plea- The Sun

War widow's plea to PM - The Sun

Remembrance Sunday Tributes Lead By The Queen As Britain Remembers War Dead - Metro

Queen Leads Tributes to Britain's War Dead - Sky News

A Pride That Grows Ever Greater - Daily Mail

Royal British Legion Still Vital for Thousands - BBC News

Lest We Forget: Britain Remembers Her War Dead - The Sunday Express

X Factor's Joe to Perform for Queen - The Mirror

Britain Falls Silent to Remember on Armistice Day - The Express

Prince Philip Opens Field of Remembrance - Daily Mail

Moving Videos of War Veterans Capture History - The Guardian

Fallen Remembered Across England - bbc.co.uk

Britain Falls Silent to Remember War Dead - The Telegraph

Recovery centre for injured troops wonderful addition to garrison - Yorkshire Post

British Legion: UK is failing to honour its war dead - The Independent

Annual Poppy appeal helps those struggling with money worries - The Independent

Armed forces join poppy collection in London stations - BBC Online

Major's 4000ft jump for Legion - The Sun

Down the Cakehole: poppy cupcakes - Evening Standard

Sean didn't think he would survive Helmand Province. It breaks my heart that he was right - The Sun

Tribute to Sikh war heroes on sale as poppy appeal begins - Derby Telegraph

October

Giant poppy installed on Wiltshire hill - BBC Online

Where does your Poppy Appeal money go? How the Royal British Legion
helps those who have put their lives on the line - Mail on Sunday

Help Salute the bravery of our Armed Forces - Sunday Express

Remembrance Sunday: 'I sold poppies for the first appeal in 1921.. it's  wonderful the young still care so much' - Sunday Mirror

Generations of war veterans unite to launch poppy appeal - Manchester Evening News

Veterans and families launch Poppy Appeal 2011 - Telegraph.co.uk

Poppy Appeal is 90 years old - The Sun

Poppy Appeal aims for record £40m - BBC.co.uk

Soldier injured in bomb blast fights back on the ski slopes - Yorkshire Post

Greatest challenge of her life: Veteran injured in Iraq faces decision over leg amputation - Daily Mail

Bomb hero launches Poppy Appeal - The Sun

Legion saddened as MPs vote to scrap the Chief Coroner role - BFBS

The Royal British Legion steps up military inquest campaign - BFBS

Poppy Appeal: the help that servicemen and veterans need - The Telegraph

Manx Bee Gee could set record with official Poppy Appeal song - Isleofman.com

Robin Gibb's brave smile - The Sun

Kenneth Clarke faces Commons revolt over Armed Forces inquiries - The Telegraph

Ministers set to appoint new chief coroner for forces deaths - mirror.co.uk

National Memorial Arboretum to get £3m boost - bbc.co.uk

'Graceful' new portrait of the Queen unveiled - Hello Magazine

A right Royal Town - The Telegraph

Ride for Forces - Oxford Mail

Robin Gibb's proud to perform with our freedom fighters - express.co.uk

Donald dives into business- Glasgow Evening Times

Previous coverage

July to September 2011
March to June 2011

Lt Col Henry Worsley MBE and WO2 Lou Rudd of the Amundsen team, and WO2 Mark Langridge, SSgt Kev Johnson and SSgt Vic Vicary of the Scott team were reunited with friends and family at the airport after nearly three months apart.

l-r: SSgt Kev Johnson, WO2 Mark Langridge, SSgt Vic Vicary, Lt Col Henry Worsley MBE

The expedition has so far raised a staggering £55,000 for The Royal British Legion's crucial work, providing care and support to Armed Forces families, with plans to raise more money in the coming months.

Following the arrival of both teams at the Pole, HRH The Duke of Cambridge, Patron of the Scott Amundsen Centenary Race 2011/2012 sent a personal message of support and congratulations. The Duke said:

"As a serving Officer, it makes me so proud that, with the staunch support of The Royal British Legion, it is British soldiers who have achieved this great feat.  Four out of the five men who went forward as Scott's final party were Servicemen too.  How proud they would be too of what you have achieved in their memory."

The epic two-month journey saw both teams battle some of the planet's toughest terrain and hazardous weather conditions to cover a combined distance of 1481 nautical miles unsupported. The teams carried all their food and fuel across the ice in sledges weighing 140kg each, experiencing temperatures as low at minus 51 degrees Celsius.

The teams read diary extracts from the original expeditions to give them encouragement on their journey. The Scott team also paid homage to the original expedition by marking the point where each member died en route.

The Legion's Director of National Events and Fundraising Russell Thompson said: "It's wonderful to hear that the expedition is back safe and well from their epic journey across the Antarctic. Their extraordinary skill and determination is a testament to our current Armed Forces. The Royal British Legion is immensely proud of all they have achieved and very grateful for their support."

The money raised from the expedition will go towards The Royal British Legion's £50 million funding commitment supporting the MoD's programme of recovery for wounded, sick and injured Armed Forces personnel.

Visit the Race website at www.scottamundsenrace.org