Reward and Recognition | Our Centenary

Since the Royal British Legion was founded in 1921, our members, staff, volunteers and partners have dedicated their time and effort to supporting the Armed Forces community and remembering their sacrifice.

To mark our 100^th birthday, we launched the Reward and Recognition scheme where everyone across the RBL family was invited to nominate people who deserved to be recognised for their significant contributions to our work.

The awards recognise the outstanding actions of individuals in five categories; service, collaboration, passion, excellence and valuing our people.

From the moment we launched the scheme, the nominations came flooding in and after a robust check on the quality and standard of submissions, we were left with over 400 tales of inspiration and determination from groups and individuals across the organisation, all of whom are equally deserving of recognition in our Centenary year.

Here we celebrate the contributions of our amazing RBL People who have helped to make our organisation the fantastic place that it is. Search by name or use the filters below to explore the nominees.

Peggy Capewell

Peggy is a highly valued volunteer of the Food Services team at the National Memorial Arboretum, working one day a week as well as supporting during busy times and large events. A shy person, she took on the challenge of working with the public and it has helped her grow in confidence. Peggy has shown great flexibility and takes pride in her work; her patience, knowledge and maternal nature is invaluable in training new starters.

Suzanne Guthrie-Gower

Case Officer Suzanne was assisting someone who had approached the RBL for help with home furnishings when the pandemic hit and these had to be put on hold. Suzanne stayed in touch and, on discovering the individual’s passion for art and gardening, she quietly submitted a grant request for gardening and art supplies, which was approved. The individual was overwhelmed by Suzanne’s thoughtfulness and delighted to restart two hobbies that will significantly improve their wellbeing.

Paul Johnson

As Grounds and Landscape Manager at the National Memorial Arboretum, Paul has transformed the way the Grounds department operates. He collaborates with other teams to deliver high-profile outdoor exhibitions and activities to an excellent standard and has also taken a leading role in implementing a tool that allows visitors to locate a memorial. Paul is supportive of his staff and committed to helping them develop their skills to provide the best service.

Michael Ockwell

Michael, Chief Executive of the iconic Mayflower Theatre in Southampton, has kindly provided the venue and staff for recent large RBL events – the First World War centenary and Hampshire Festival of Remembrance – and is doing so again this year for RBL 100. The events have raised more than £25,000 so far, and this prestigious venue has provided a wonderful platform to showcase the RBL to local communities and across the media.

GCHQ

The team at GCHQ were invaluable in helping to form a giant poppy out of people to launch Gloucestershire’s Poppy Appeal in 2014, from sourcing red ponchos to calculating the numbers needed. The completed 1,400-people poppy provided excellent media exposure for the RBL and the Appeal. GCHQ has since helped with further launches, including creating 9,000 knitted poppies for a cascade and supported the national launch in 2019 with Operation Poppy. The staff also continued to fundraising through various event, all from their own initiatives.

David Gittus

Dave has volunteered for the Poppy Appeal in Newport, Shropshire, for the past 15 years. He stands outside in the High Street in all weathers, chatting to everyone who comes to get a poppy from his box, and is always ready to answer questions about the RBL and the Armed Forces. His big heart and willingness to help has led to him raising around £500 every year.

Richard Fardon

When Galanos House locked down in March 2020, many staff were on furlough. Richard immediately stepped up to take over the non-clinical aspects of the Deputy Manager role, managing PPE, storage, housekeeping stocks, auditing and queries from contractors. Richard showed total dedication by coming into the home outside his normal working hours to support, educate and problem-solve, and his actions ensured the smooth running of the home.

John Bell

Cramlington and Blythe Branch Community Support volunteer John has shown outstanding compassion and dedication in supporting veterans with complex needs during Covid -19. He went above and beyond to remain in contact with those struggling with social isolation and mental-health problems, setting up telephone support and online groups that offered people with similar needs a social platform to meet others.

James Hurdley

James owns a hardware shop in Broseley, Shropshire, and has been a Poppy Appeal Collector for 70 years, since he was a boy. He remembers returning home from National Service to collect in the shop with his grandfather. Year on year, James and his family are in the top five collectors and often raise the most. He also takes poppy boxes to the local nursing home to ensure the residents can wear theirs with pride

Robert Lennox

Robert joined the RBL in the late 80s and is now President of the Magherafelt Branch. Over the years, he has organised all branch outings, including day trips for senior members and to the Festival of Remembrance, as well as many fundraising initiatives. He has worked to obtain vital funding from the council and increased the standing of the RBL within the community. He is also instrumental in encouraging younger members and strengthening branch comradeship.

Maddie Griffin

For the past decade, Maddie and her team of young Air Cadet volunteers have been a vital help to Newport’s Poppy Appeal. First, they help create and fill boxes with poppies and accessories, then they spend the two Saturdays of the Appeal on the city’s streets, collecting for the RBL and talking with the community about being an Air Cadet, their families’ experience of service and the importance of helping the Armed Forces community.

Amy Clifford

When the Northern team wanted to thank their volunteer caseworkers for their support, part-time Case Officer Amy gave up her own time to learn how to produce a ‘thank you’ video. The short film was emailed to all volunteers, and feedback was so positive that it was taken up nationally. Amy went above and beyond to show the RBL’s gratitude and hopefully, her film will have helped in maintaining the support of volunteers.

John Green

During John's eight years as Henley-on-Thames Branch Chairman, membership almost doubled and the branch raised £200,000 for the RBL. John believes passionately that the organisation's continuance is in the hands of our youth, so has forged a strong relationship with the local Army, Sea and Air Cadets, affiliating them to the branch in 2015. His award-winning newsletter goes out to the whole community and has substantially raised the RBL’s profile and standing.

Alan Kelly

Over a decade of service, Alan has shown exceptional dedication to the RBL, taking on many County and branch roles as well as proving adept at fundraising and giving talks on the charity’s work. He is a Volunteer Coordinator for the SW, Midlands and Somerset Advice & Information Team and assists the Worcestershire Case Officer at weekly outreach sessions, encouraging ex-service personnel to apply for RBL assistance and reducing the administrative burden of welfare cases.

Coventry Building Society Marketing Team

The CBS Marketing Team plays a vital role in ensuring the contribution of the Armed Forces community is not forgotten by the public, supporting with innovative national marketing campaigns each year. In 2020, this focused on veteran and Coventry Poppy Appeal volunteer Derrick Rex and allowing him to continue ‘collecting’ despite shielding. Supporters could buy poppies in branches, while CBS posters, press and social media promoted QR codes and the RBL’s donation links.

Joy Edwards

As Registered Nurse at Maurice House, Joy has worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic without complaint. She has often been the only nurse available to cover the night shifts and has worked extra shifts every week. She also provided COVID-secure lifts to enable other staff to get to work. Joy showed commitment and compassion during a very difficult time, supporting both residents and staff.

Allison Williams MBE

Unable to participate in an RBL fun run owing to her disability, Allison approached Penryn Branch asking if she could do a sponsored swim instead. They agreed, and she swam 1,200 lengths of the pool, raising £300. Following this, Allison is determined to create a national fundraising swimming event so that those who cannot run can participate in another sport to bring in extra money for the RBL.

Kay Scase

Gloucester City Branch member Kay has carried out many decades of selfless service for the County, Women’s Section and branch, overcoming many challenges from changing strategies to fluctuating membership. Her encyclopaedic knowledge of RBL procedures means that several committees have benefited from her contribution and timely advice, and her work in Branch Community Support has seen many of the Armed Forces community benefit from her practical and emotional help.

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Reward & Recognition