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CostaBlancaPeople 7th - 13th November 2017
The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal Launch 2017
T
he Annual Launch of The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal in Spain took place in Benidorm recently. Once again the parade was lead by the Torrevieja Pipes and Drums and its music brought holidaymakers from the beach to watch the parade at the Rincon de Loix. Following the Band were the numerous Legion Branch Standards as well as Standards for a number of other military organisations. Marching in the parade beside the veterans, were people representing a number of different nationalities. The Mayor of Benidorm, Sñr Antonio Pérez, welcomed everyone to the city and other special guests included Elizabeth Bell MBE, Vice Consul at the British Consulate in Alicante, Sgt. Michelle Kadshaw RAF from Madrid, representing the Defence Attaché and Mrs Una Cleminson, the Legion National
Vice Chairman. Regular attendees from the Royal Hospital, Chelsea – Chelsea Pensioners - were the very popular Arthur “Skippy” Teasdale and Wayne Campbell MBE looking splendid in their scarlet coats. The Parade ended at the Rincon de Loix where Mr Donald Cubbon, Chairman of District North, led the various speeches ending with a presentation to Sñr Pérez of a framed Certificate in appreciation of the tremendous support from the Benidorm Ayuntamiento. The ceremony ended with music from the Torrevieja Pipes and Drums with much applause from those gathered; a truly spectacular day. Poppies are now available in the area so the appeal from the Legion is - Please Wear your Poppy with Pride. The Legion needs your donations to support our Armed Forces Community at times of great need. The Royal British Legion is
asking the nation to Rethink Remembrance by recognising the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces community, past and present. By wearing a poppy, you aren’t just remembering the fallen: you’re supporting a new generation of veterans and Service personnel that need our support. Each year, an army of volunteers distribute the iconic paper poppies, collecting donations in return to help support vital work for the Armed Forces community. Members of the public wear the paper poppy on their chest as a symbol of Remembrance: to remember the fallen Service men and women killed in conflict. A number of Remembrance events, such as Remembrance Sunday, are held during the Poppy Appeal to
commemorate the fallen. The first Poppy Appeal was held in 1921, the founding year of The Royal British Legion. Red silk poppies, inspired by the famous First World War poem In Flanders Fields, sold out instantly and raised more than £106,000. The funds helped WW1 veterans find employment and housing after the war. The following year, the Poppy Factory was set up, employing disabled exServicemen to create the poppies to sell during the appeal. Today, the factory still produces millions of poppies each year so that the nation can wear them with pride. Various Remembrance Services are being held over the whole District and
details can be found on: www.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/spainnorth. For advice and assistance please ring 676 45 17 80 or email assistance.rbl.dns@gmail.com Mireille Toddington
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