November - January Supporting Charities

15 Apr 2022

Leading up to Christmas this quarter we will be supporting two more Charities – Royal British Legion and Sapper Support, that give care and support to all those in need.

The Royal British Legion

The Royal British Legion provides support for members of Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families. Founded in 1921, it’s original purpose as to bring together four organisations that had established themselves after the war

-         National Association of Discharged Sailor’s and Soldiers

-         The British National Federation of Discharged and Demobilized Sailors

-         The Comrades of The Great War

-         The Officers’ Association

During the first World War, after the landscapes were turned to mud it seemed that the only thing that flourished were the Poppies, which grew in their thousands. The Red poppy symbol was created as a sign of remembrance and hope for a peaceful future.

This then inspired Doctor Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae to write the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’

In Flanders' fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place: and in the sky

The larks, stillbravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid theguns below.

 

We are the dead.Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders' fields.

 

Take up our quarrel with the foe;

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high,

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders' Fields.

The first Poppy appeal in 1921 saw a sell out almost immediately, raising over £106,000.

The Royal British Legion therefore aims to give advice and information on: Care and independent living; Physical and mental wellbeing; Financial and employment support; local community connections; expert guidance and a Veterans Gateway.

Sapper Support

Founded in 2014, originally designed to help Sappers (now a multi-service charity) Sapper Support’s aim was to give aid to those suffering from PTSD or any mental heath issues. The charity has a facility to help with early diagnosis and pay for the initial assessments.

Trained by the largest mental health charity in the UK: MIND, they offer a 24/7 PTSD helpline staffed by veterans and 999 personnel – who can give first-hand experience advice and would understand the lingo of those seeking advice. They are all volunteers and give their time for nothing, making sure they follow up with calls 48 hours later.

 

Our contractors can donate via our Expense Manager App, but please feel free to follow the links and donate at source... thank you so much.

Royal British Legion donation page

Sapper Support donation page