Chairman's poppy pride appeal

Published on 2 November 2011

A message from Councillor Ken Angold-Stephens, Chairman of Epping Forest District Council.

"On Sunday 13 November, as Chairman of Epping Forest District Council, I will have the great privilege and honour to represent our community, throughout the district, at Remembrance Day Services.

Since 1921 The Royal British Legion’s mission has been to help those members of the serving and ex-serving community who needed it. Eighty-seven years on and the Legion continue to safeguard the welfare, interests and memory of those who are serving or who have served in the Armed Forces. The Poppy Appeal provides the main source of funds to maintain the Legions many welfare and benevolent schemes in which over 300,000 people are helped each year.

Following a detailed analysis of the ex-Service community and their needs the Legion is developing a welfare programmed to reflect the findings of the report. This will involve reaching out to many more people who are entitled to our help, and also introducing additional welfare services. Inevitability this exciting and very necessary programme will be costly and so it will be more important than ever that the Poppy Appeal increases to contribute to the overall fundraising programme.

The Legion is once again undertaking a ‘Poppy People’ campaign to attract new Poppy Appeal volunteers. Anyone over 16 years of age can help, they only need to ring 0800 085 5924. This would be the positive way of saying ‘thank you’

I would therefore personally like to urge everyone in the community to support this year’s poppy appeal and wear their poppy with pride!"