Honouring those Service men and women who have given their lives for peace, the Arsenal players all wore the special 'Poppy shirts' during the Gunners' 4-1 win at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday 7 November.

After the match, each player individually signed his shirt, with Arsenal auctioning the shirts through a number of channels, including Arsenal.com, Arsenal Supporters' Clubs, online auction sites, TV stations and national newspapers.

As a result of the fantastic generosity of the Arsenal supporters, the Club managed to raise a total of £21,055, with the proceeds being divided equally and donated to The Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes – two charitable organisations who both work tirelessly to help Service men and women who have made so many sacrifices.

To mark this achievement, the Gunners invited representatives from both charities to Emirates Stadium for their Premier League match against Burnley on Saturday 6 March, where Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis and Arsenal player Kieran Gibbs presented the cheques of £10,527.50 to each of them pitchside just before kick-off.

Kieran Gibbs, Sarah Walker (Help for Heroes), Lisa Burrell (The Royal British Legion), Ivan Gazidis
with 20 Gurkhas at the cheque presentation on 6 March 

Also in the presentation were 20 members from The Royal Gurkha Rifles, who were also Arsenal's guests for their match against Burnley. The Service men were enjoying a day out at Emirates Stadium before embarking on a six-month tour of Helmand Province in Afghanistan, at the end of March.

Arsenal Chief Executive Ivan Gazidis said: "The players were all extremely proud to wear the special poppy shirts for our match against Wolves in November. We're delighted that as a result of the huge generosity of the Arsenal supporters, we have managed to raise so much money for The Royal British Legion and Help For Heroes. They are both fantastic organisations, who do so much great work to help many Service men and women, and we're proud to be making this donation to them both."

Chris Simpkins, Director General of The Royal British Legion, said: "Once again we are most grateful for the support of Arsenal Football Club and its loyal supporters. As an Armed Forces charity, we will ensure these funds help support Armed Forces past and present, and their families."

Bryn Parry, Co founder of Help for Heroes said: "We are so grateful to Arsenal Football Club for their support. Help for Heroes works hard to ensure that we remember those who have died, as well as fundraise to care for those who have been wounded in the service of our country. The association with sport and with football in particular, will strike a chord with our servicemen and women who will gain strength from knowing they are being supported by the Gunners."

They were joined by HRH The Duke of Gloucester, Prime Minister Gordon Brown, the Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth, Armed Forces Minister Bill Rammell, Chief of the Defence Staff Sir Jock Stirrup, Service chiefs, and representatives of the main political parties as well as families from Denmark, Italy, Romania and the Netherlands, representing some of the coalition personnel from nations also honoured on the wall.

The service commenced with a flypast over the wall of four Tornado GR4 aircraft from 31 Squadron based at RAF Marham.

Mrs Tracey Hazel, whose son Corporal Ben Leaning, The Queen’s Royal Lancers, was killed on 19 April 2007, lit the Operation Telic Memorial Candle. Mrs Hazel originally lit the candle at the service at St Paul's Cathedral last October. The candle was placed at the foot of the memorial for the duration of the service and will be moved to the Memorial Chapel at the Arboretum after the service.

A poem "Where your ashes kiss the earth" was read by Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Brown who composed it while serving in Iraq.

Following the rededication ceremony a minute's silence took place. Wreaths were laid at the memorial on behalf of the nation, the Armed Forces and the families. The family wreath was laid by Mr Brian Tanswell whose son, Lt Tom Tanswell RA, was killed in Iraq in 2006.  Wreaths were also laid by representatives of other nations whose personnel are remembered on the wall.

A BBC video report on the rebuilding of the wall and the service can be viewed here.

The original memorial was built in Basra in 2006 and stood outside the front of the Headquarters of the Multi-National Division (South East). Following the end of combat operations in April 2009, the wall was dismantled and returned to Britain. It has been re-erected at the Arboretum, close to the Armed Forces Memorial.

The Arboretum is Britain's year-round centre of Remembrance; a spiritually uplifting place which honours the fallen and recognises suffering and sacrifice. Part of The Royal British Legion family of charities, it contains 50,000 maturing trees and 160 memorials, and attracts around 300,000 visitors per year.

Speaking after the service, Defence Secretary Bob Ainsworth said: "Today we paid tribute to those who gave their lives in Iraq on behalf of the nation and in order to provide Iraqis with a better life. This memorial, set in this Arboretum of Remembrance, is a fitting monument to their sacrifice."

Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup laid a wreath on behalf of the Armed Forces. He said: "This memorial was built in Iraq by Service personnel in memory of their fallen comrades. It now stands before us, here in the UK, as a focal point for family, friends, the Armed Forces and the nation as a whole. It represents the commitment, bravery and sacrifice of our Service men and women; it is a symbol of what they gave, and of the debt that this country owes them and their families."

Brian Tanswell, who laid the family wreath said: "I spearheaded the campaign to bring the Basra Memorial Wall to the UK, and through that contacted many families who, like myself, lost someone who meant everything to them in Iraq. I feel honoured to lay the wreath on their behalf, and take comfort from knowing this memorial is here for us, in its rightful place in the UK, an everlasting tribute to our loved ones, where families, friends and comrades can come and remember them."

Chief Executive of the National Memorial Arboretum, Charlie Bagot-Jewitt, said: "Many of our memorials provide a way for the Nation to acknowledge its fallen men and women. The Basra Memorial Wall is different as it was conceived, built and maintained by the colleagues of those that died. As a result, it has assumed an even greater poignancy. The Arboretum will be a fitting home for the wall."

Basra Memorial Wall, Poppy Appeal 2008

Where possible, the new Basra Memorial Wall incorporates elements of the original structure that stood in Iraq. The central marble tablet, which was blessed by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in the presence of Her Majesty The Queen at a service at St Paul's Cathedral last October commemorating UK operations in Iraq 2003-2009, will form the centrepiece of the wall.

All of the brass plaques which will hang on the wall – each one listing a life – are the plaques from the original wall. Unfortunately the bricks used in the original construction cannot withstand the UK weather conditions, so instead they have been used to form the foundations and core of the wall, while the outside has been faced in marble.

For further information please contact: Andrew Baud, andrew.baud@talapr.co.uk or 07775 715775 or visit the NMA's website at www.thenma.org.uk

A video report of the event is available below (hoseted on the Legion's YouTube channel).

The previous record of £30.8 million set by the Poppy Appeal in 2008 was broken as the tally reached £31.5 million today.

The number of poppies distributed also rose to 42 million, up two million on 2008.

"Proceeds from the Poppy Appeal are still being counted, so the final tally will not be known for some time yet," said Russell Thompson, the Legion's Director of National Events and Fundraising. "But we're now will into record-setting territory."

"I'm delighted that the nation's beloved Poppy Appeal continues to go so well," said Mr Thompson. "It's a testament to the care and concern that the British public shows for our Armed Forces community, which is needed now more than ever."

Meanwhile, Coventry Building Society's Sales and Marketing Director Colin Franklin donated £1,770,991 from its Poppy range of savings accounts to the Legion at a ceremony at Haig House, the Legion's national headquarters in London.

Russell Thompson and Colin Franklin at the presentation 

On presenting the donation, Coventry Building Society's Colin Franklin said, "Our Poppy range has proved incredibly successful since we introduced the first Poppy Bond in 2008. The work of The Royal British Legion is highly valued by our members and it is their support that has led to this record-breaking donation."

Mr Thompson said the funds will help the Legion assist 160,000 beneficiaries this year, a growing number of whom are veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and their families. The donation will also assist in the financing of four new Personnel Recovery Centres.

The Legion announced recently that it was spending £20 million to operate a series of Personnel Recovery Centres in partnership with the British Army to help the sick, injured and wounded from contemporary conflict.

For further information contact on the Poppy Appeal, please contact Liam Maguire, Press Officer, T: 020 3207 2242 M: 07769 968 858 E: lmaguire@britishlegion.org.uk

Coventry Building Society is the third largest building society in the UK with assets exceeding £17.4 billion. More information on the latest Poppy Bond offering is available here.

In his media interviews, on his website, www.themonumentalwalk.co.uk, on his Facebook group, and on his LegionLive profile, Mr Hollox asserts that funds collected will be donated to The Royal British Legion for the purpose of building a monument in Wootton Bassett to those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Royal British Legion wishes to make it absolutely clear that it has no plans whatsoever to erect a monument in Wootton Bassett, nor is it aware of any plans in the community for the creation of such a monument.

However, we are delighted to support Mr Hollox in his fundraising initiative and we are equally thrilled that following meetings with the Legion, he has decided to donate the proceeds from his 'Monumental Walk' to the NMA Appeal at The National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire. The Appeal will, amongst other things, provide the infrastructure needed to secure the site as a world class centre of Remembrance. The Arboretum is the home of the Armed Forces Memorial, the nation's tribute to those lost as a result of conflict and terrorism, since World War II and also the location of the Basra Memorial Wall which will be rededicated on 11 March.

We wish him every luck as his journey continues and hope that others are inspired to contribute to the future of the National Memorial Arboretum and The Royal British Legion.

Praising the new Friends of the Forces Awards, His Royal Highness said:

"These awards are an excellent idea, and I am very proud to be involved."

Prince Harry, a Lieutenant with the Household Cavalry (Blues and Royals), served in Afghanistan with the British Army for more than two months.

"I know how important support from home can be. For those serving in the British Armed Forces, the knowledge that others are thinking of them has a hugely positive effect that cannot be underestimated. I remember that very acutely."

Lieutenant General Sir John Kiszely MC, the Legion’s National President, invited members of the public to step forward with nominations:

"The Friends of the Forces Awards will say thank you to anyone who has contributed materially to the well-being or appreciation of our Armed Forces", he said.

"We hear of so many amazing acts of kindness and support that we strongly urge people to submit nominations for these exciting new awards."

Winners will be chosen in categories recognising individual, community, corporate and youth contributions. Winners will be announced in eight regions covering England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and those shortlisted for the national awards will attend a Royal gala ceremony in London in July.

For more information or to apply, visit www.friendsoftheforces.org.uk or contact 0845 363 1478.

Media information
Please contact:
Friends of the Forces press office
Tel: 020 7025 7500
email: media@friendsoftheforces.org.uk. 

Proceeds will be donated to The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and Help for Heroes.

Tickets are £5.

Venue: Hyde Town Hall, Market Street, Hyde, Cheshire SK14 1AL

Contact: 0161 342 3489

For more information about Red Fridays, visit www.redfridays.co.uk

The group are part of a team of 22 serving in the Plymouth area, who have signed up for 'Navy Clmb 2010' to scale Kilimanjaro. Standing 5,896 metres high the mountain is known as the 'Roof of Africa'.

The team is hoping to raise a total of £100,000 to be split between their chosen charities. Anyone wishing to support the team can do so online by logging onto their fundraising website.

The group are part of a team of 22 serving in the Plymouth area, who have signed up for 'Navy Clmb 2010' to scale Kilimanjaro. Standing 5,896 metres high the mountain is known as the 'Roof of Africa'.

The Raleigh contingent consists of PO Craig 'Chewie' Hewitt and CPO Ali James, the main organisers of the challenge. PO Hewitt, an instructor at the Naval Military School, had the original idea for the climb. He said: "I've always wanted the chance to organise a charity event and to take part in some adventurous training, but being at sea on deployments has meant that it has been difficult for me to do both in the past. I'm now due to be at HMS Raleigh until the end of the year and I've just got my promotion to Petty Officer, so I thought that this was a good time to get involved and achieve both aims."

CPO Ali James, who is one of the Divisional Officers within Corporate Squadron, was keen to lend her experience in organising charity events. She said: "I've been involved in a number of fundraising activities in the past such as running the London Marathon and climbing the Great Wall of China. By putting ourselves through this arduous trek to climb Kilimanjaro we hope to raise funds and awareness for these two often forgotten charities. Both do a fabulous job in providing support to serving and ex-Service personnel. As a serving person you never know when you or the person standing next to you may need the help of these organisations and that's why it is important for us all to do our bit."

The team is hoping to raise a total of £100,000 to be split between their chosen charities - Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC) and The Royal British Legion. Anyone wishing to support the team can do so online by logging onto their fundraising website.

Well, over 10,000 cards were sent to wounded heroes at Selly Oak and Headley Court, Service personnel at different garrisons and fighting units and to veterans who are residents of Legion Care Homes. 

Helen Hill, the Legion's Schools Advisor says: "These messages are extraordinary. We didn't know how this was going to be received but we've been overwhelmed. They have an emotional honesty and directness that only children can express."   

Now the children of Shears Green Infants and Junior have put together a video to say thank you to all of our brave troops and wish them well. You can view it below or on our YouTube channel.

This innovative Scheme offers an opportunity for a Graduate from any discipline to live and study in Korea for up to two years. The winners of the 2009 Scholarships, Claire O'Connell and Simon Hathaway, are pictured below.   

The Scholarship was established in memory of those who gave their lives during the Korean War (1950-53) and it is hoped that it will help to strengthen relationships between Britain and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). Administered by The Royal British Legion, the Scheme has been running since 1995, during which time students from all walks of life have taken part. 

The Scholarship is a fixed sum and can be used to cover: an intensive Korean language course in the UK before departure, an open return flight to South Korea in 2011 at the start of a post-graduate course of the winner's choice, university course fees, contribution to accommodation costs and one further return flight to the UK during the study period.

Post-graduate courses are conducted in the English Language.

Previous winners have taken first degrees as diverse as Chinese, Japanese, Politics, Economics and Law in British universities, before choosing post-graduate courses to study in Korea. Simon above is studying a post-graduate Vision and Consciousness course at Yonsei University and Claire is studying a post-graduate degree in International Co-operation at Seoul University.

The scholarship is open to anyone with a family connection to the Armed Forces – a parent, or a grandparent, for example. Download an application form or contact Lynn Callegari (details below). Applications should be submitted by 30 June 2010.

For further information on how to apply contact:
Lynn Callegari
tel: 020 3207 2121 
email: Lynne Callegari or rpibworth@samsung.com
post: Ms Callegari, The Royal British Legion, Haig House, 199 Borough High Street London SE1 0AA