Our Armed Forces risk everything to protect you, despite never having met you.
During the course of their careers, members of the Armed Forces can face life-long challenges, miss time with their own family and risk injury.
Your poppy shows you care, and helps us continue our vital work.
From providing expert advice and guidance to recovery and help with finances, we are here to support every member of the Armed Forces community.
Your poppy shows you care
Malcom's story
Malcolm trained as an Infantry Combat Soldier and served nine years in the regular Army and six years in the Territorial Army. After leaving service, Malcolm struggled with depression and was eventually diagnosed with PTSD from his time in Northern Ireland.
"I was still very young when I went to Northern Ireland for the first time and we were in the thick of it, dealing with ambushes, potential threats to life and long days of constant patrolling," he says.
"I just think at the time I probably didn’t have the mental capacity to also process what was happening around me."
With support from RBL, Malcolm has found ways to manage the challenges of PTSD and loves riding his bike and keeping active.
Beth's story
Beth joined the Army to realise her dream of becoming a personal trainer within the military, and follow in the footsteps of her Grandfather who also served in the Army. But during a training exercise she injured her back and her career was cut short.
"I felt something in my back pop and began to feel pain in my lower back," says Beth.
"In a matter of days I was unable to run without pain.”
Unsure of what to do next, RBL helped Beth come to terms with the end of her military career and gave her the confidence to focus on the future. And although her injury still requires management, she now runs her own bootcamp business.
Jel's story
Jel was in the Army for five years serving in the UK, Germany, Cyprus and Canada.
But when he left the Armed Forces he struggled to find a job he enjoyed and missed the comradeship of fellow soldiers. Then in 2008 his relationship broke down and he found himself without a place to live.
"I was sofa surfing, so you could say I was a homeless as I didn't have my own property or somewhere to live."
With support from RBL, Jel was able to get the qualifications he needed to become a fitness trainer, and he now runs bootcamp classes across North London.
