The Royal British Legion care for so many people like my nan — let’s return the favour
FOR the last five years of her life my grandmother, Irene Jordan, lived in a British Legion residential home.
She received top-quality care in beautiful accommodation that an ordinary family like ours could never have afforded.
Until she passed in 2018 aged 98, Nan lived at Halsey House near Cromer, Norfolk, one of six Legion-run homes funded by the Poppy Appeal. She loved it there.
I used to do fundraisers at the home and Nan’s fellow residents were incredible people – veterans who had been parachuted behind enemy lines in World War Two, Spitfire pilots and people who had worked to break the Enigma Code.
And the Royal British Legion also cared for women like my nan, who had never served – widows whose husbands had been in the forces.
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My grandad, Sydney “Dick” Jordan, joined up in 1939 and for nearly six years, from 1939 to 1945, he didn’t see my nan or my mum, Jean.
We didn’t realise just how helpful the British Legion was going to be in caring for my nan after he passed away.
That’s the fantastic umbrella of the Royal British Legion.
It not only looks after service personnel and veterans but also their families.
FEWER COLLECTORS
Because of Covid, many more military and veteran families will need the help of the British Legion.
But in a year when we need to sell more poppies than ever, there are far fewer collectors on our streets.
I have seen how vulnerable those who normally collect during the Poppy Appeal are to coronavirus.
While making a documentary on Covid at Milton Keynes University Hospital, Paul Breeze, who had served with the Royal Military Police and was suffering from the virus, agreed to appear in my film.
But the night before our interview he sadly died, leaving a widow.
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Every one of us must be a Poppy Star – and use all the other ways to help the British Legion raise £50million for our forces families.
Go to the website and buy your poppies, donate, get fundraising packs and download a poppy for your window. I am getting my kids to make poppies to go in the windows.
Every poppy really will count this year, because our Armed Forces community is suffering – and they need our help.
How to be a poppy star
THE pandemic may have stopped thousands of sellers from hitting the streets — but it doesn’t have to stop you from buying a poppy. MIKE RIDLEY looks at some of the ways you can do your bit for the appeal by going to:
- Fundraise for appeal: Move to Remember and the 11/11 Challenge are among the fundraising suggestions from the appeal itself. Free fundraising packs on the website will give the help and support you will need.
- Poppies in the post: Help make up for the reduced number of volunteer collectors by requesting 20 poppies free of charge from the RBL — and then giving them to friends and family yourself in return for a donation.
- My poppy run 2020: Run, walk or jog any distance, anywhere and at any time. Get family and friends involved to raise cash. And buy a T-shirt to run in and a medal to give to yourself afterwards!
- Visit the poppy shop: There is an extensive range of products from poppy pins and jewellery to clothing, stationery and homeware. All profits fund the Legion’s work in supporting the Armed Forces community.
- Make online donation: Alternatively, you could just visit the British Legion’s website and make a donation. You can choose a one-off payment or set up a regular amount — and no amount is too small.
…OR POP INTO YOUR LOCAL SAINSBURY’S, TESCO, ASDA, ALDI OR MORRISONS AND BUY A POPPY
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