Record Breaking Poppy Appeal

IMAG0147The Armistice Day Services carried out by Stoke Gifford Branch of the Royal British Legion were held at 11am on 11/11/14 at Sainsbury’s Stoke Gifford, The Willow Brook Centre, Bradley Stoke, and Bristol Parkway Station, and had the Exhortation, (“They shall grow not old………”), the Last Post, Two Minute Silence, Reveille, Kohima Epitaph, (“When you go home, tell them of us…………..”). The SGRBL would like to extend its thanks to those venues for allowing the services to be held again this year.

By today’s count, on 26th November 2014, the total collected by Stoke Gifford Branch is about £39,000 – a Branch RECORD already!! There is still some more to be added for the current period of the Poppy Appeal. The Appeal lasts from 1st of October 2014 to 30th September 2015. The Branch is confident it will collect over £40,000 !!

The Stoke Gifford Branch put static tins in numerous venues around the area, and it had shifts of collectors in various stores and shopping centres locally, (for example Sainsbury s, Stoke Gifford; ASDA, Filton; The Willow Brook Centre, Bradley Stoke) and in Bristol Parkway Station, Stoke Gifford.  The Branch also supplied its legendary knitted poppies which have been the great hit of recent years.

It also has other fundraising events planned during the forthcoming year including its popular Annual Concert, due in March 2015.

The money raised by the Poppy Appeal goes towards the Legion s Welfare Fund. Currently the Legion is spending £1.6 million EVERY WEEK in help and support for current and former service personnel, their families and dependants. So it needs the continued generous support of the public, businesses, the media and other organisations to help raise the funding it requires for its welfare work. Terry Webber, the Stoke Gifford Branch s Chair of Welfare, said “The need is as great as ever ”.

If you or someone you know needs help from the Royal British Legion please contact the RBL national helpline – 0808 802 8080. The RBL has just opened a new Pop In Centre in 62 Union Street, Bristol, where people can call in for for advice and information on the charity’s support and community services.

The Legion is always looking for volunteers   for its work, so if you are interested please contact the Branch s joint Poppy Appeal Organisers   – John Moloney on 07802535591 or Terry Webber on 0117   9091486. For further information on the Branch contact Branch President Brian Hewitt – 01454 775632.

Branch spokesman, David Bell said: “The Stoke Gifford Branch of the Royal British Legion would like to thank the Public, our volunteers, the great team of Poppy Knitters and the businesses and other organisations that have helped us raise our great RECORD total for the 2014/15 Poppy Appeal. The media have been great in helping to promote the Poppy Appeal and this helps boost the totals raised and also raises awareness of the Legion s welfare work, helping us reach more people who need our help. “

Stoke Gifford Branch of the Royal British Legion now has its own Radio Show on community radio station Bradley Stoke Radio, (BSR 103.4 FM), called “The Legion Weekly ”. It is broadcast on Sundays, 11am – 12noon. It is broadcast on 103.4FM and online on the BSR website, past shows are also available online.

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