Supporting The British Legion and the Armed Forces Community
April 18, 2016
Julian recently met with Debbie Harding, The Royal British Legion’s local Area Manager, in Parliament to discuss support for the Armed Forces community and this year’s World War One commemorations.
The Royal British Legion is the country’s largest Armed Forces charity, providing welfare assistance to many thousands of veterans, serving personnel and their families. It is also the national custodian of Remembrance, best known for its emblem the red poppy.
Legion research has found that the biggest issues currently experienced by working-age veterans include hearing loss and difficulty finding employment, whilst among older veterans, physical health and social care are among the most common problems. To help address these issues, the Legion has successfully campaigned for a new £10m Veterans Hearing Fund, supports career transition through its Civvy Street website, and delivers practical assistance through community outreach services and six care homes.
In advance of the summer’s centenary commemorations of the Battle of the Somme, the Legion has produced a comprehensive toolkit to help local communities organise their own commemorative events. Somme 100 provides an opportunity for us all to reflect on one of the bloodiest battles in human history, in which more than one million men were wounded or killed, from all walks of life and every part of the country.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about the battle, or how they can get involved with the commemorations, should visit www.britishlegion.org.uk/Somme100, where toolkits can be mail-ordered and downloaded.
