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CostaBlancaPeople 19th - 25th October 2021
19th - 25th OCtOber - editiOn 912
Tel: 607 031 113 | claire@costablancapeople.com | costablancapeople.com
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2021 Poppy Appeal launched on the Costa Blanca Saturday saw the official launch of the royal british Legion Poppy Appeal, enjoying, for the first time in two years, the pomp and ceremony that the occasion has missed so much. hundreds of veterans from across district north attended the launch parade which, since its inception, has been led by the highly acclaimed torrevieja Pipes and drums. Once again the impressive display strode out along benidorm’s Levante promenade, standards flowing in the breeze,
followed by former servicemen of all nationalities and services, including many members of the rnA, rAAFA and rMA. Caught up in the occasion, residents and holidaymakers alike stopped to show their support as the immaculately dressed Standard bearers, marshalled by former royal Artillery veteran, Jack Kemp, marched along the route, heads held high as they demonstrated their pride in representing the foremost british Military Charity.
the parade of ex servicemen marching behind the pipes and drums was once again led by two inmates from the royal hospital Chelsea, Arthur “Skippy” teasdale, now aged 91, and his young minder, Wayne Campbell, a mere 83, both resplendent in their distinctive scarlet uniforms. Skippy and Wayne, both members of the Orihuela Costa branch of the rbL, are regular visitors to the area. they were all accompanied by the Mayor of benidorm, toni Perez Perez,
and other principal guests, Joe Falzon, the Vice Chairman of the rbL, the british Consul in Madrid and Alicante, SarahJane Morris, Captain ian Clarke rn, defence Attaché Madrid, bob Chambers, the rbL Overseas Membership Support Officer and Fiona hedges, the Overseas Membership Support Officer. Mr don Cubbon, attending his final parade as Chairman of district north, spoke of the hard work that his members had carried out over the previous year, which despite being so badly affected by Covid 19, had raised in excess of €75,000 he also emphasised that ALL of the money is used to help ex-servicemen and their dependants here in Spain, in their time of need, mentioning just a few of the 200 cases that had received rbL support in the previous 6 months. the Mayor of benidorm, toni Perez then addressed the large audience, welcoming all participants as he took the stage. he said how delighted he was to host the Launch of the Poppy Appeal once again, highlighting the multicultural and multinational makeup of the city. he was then presented with an rbL plaque by don Cubbon, on behalf of the rbL in Spain. the Chairman said that it was given in heartfelt thanks for
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the support and encouragement that the Ayuntamiento and the people of benidorm provide to enable the launch of the annual launch of the Poppy Appeal in this wonderful city. in reply the mayor said that the royal british Legion “is a role model” and that the organisation can always count on the support and encouragement of his council. there were further speeches by the rbL Vice Chairman, the Consul and the defence Attaché, all of which reiterated the outstanding work carried out by the rbL across the world but especially here in Spain where the support network id second to none. the ceremony ended with rapturous applause as the Standard bearers and the torrevieja Pipes and drums marched off before many dozens of spectators, both english and Spanish, descended on Skippy and Wayne, to pose for photographs. if you are a veteran visiting or living in Spain and you would like to know more about the royal british Legion or their activities here in district north, please contact your local Legion branch, details of which can be found at http://counties.britishlegion.org.uk/ counties/spain-north/the-district-itsbranches