to read - The Royal British Legion

WARWICKSHIRE
APRIL 2015
Welcome to edition 2 of the new
style PAO newsletter for
Warwickshire.
Shirley branch to host
Warwickshire's Poppy Appeal
launch 2015.
Nationally the Poppy Appeal total is £41,915,908.20.
Shirley branch are thrilled to be hosting this year's
Poppy Appeal launch on Saturday 24th October 2015.
More locally Warwickshire's Appeal is still highest
performing in the region. Please see details below
Warwickshire
827,762.43
Lincolnshire
823,404.08
Nottinghamshire
818,686.38
Derbyshire
763,444.72
South Staffordshire
711,141.70
Leicestershire & Rutland
605.060.47
North Staffordshire
472,402.45
Shropshire
415,048.49
Birmingham
399,177.37
Region total
5,231,067.62
Local Veteran, London Marathon runner and branch
member Danny Wilson will run in to the event and
deliver a huge poppy to symbolize the launch. .
Plans by the branch are to organise a parade supported
by the Shirley Pipe Band. Performance of an award
winning drill display by Shirley Sea Cadets followed by a
consortium of Shirley area schools performing a
traditional Sailors' Hornpipe and other dance routines.
Coventry hosts county launch in 2012
The display will take place outdoors in Parkgate Square,
immediately outside the Shirley Club Atrium starting at
11:00.
In addition, Shirley hopes to open their first Poppy Shop
in Parkgate Square and display historic photographs in
the Club Atrium.
Creative Moments craft group raise £4k at NEC for Warwickshire
Our PAO's, collectors and supporters are still flying the
flag for the Legion raising money outside of the Poppy
Appeal, by way of Rugby matches, concerts, talks,
supporting larger community events and operating
fundraising stalls to a VE Day tea dance.
For those of you who wish to attend and support Shirley
branch the adjacent shopping complex has an
underground free car-park. Light refreshments will be
provided in the club following the launch.
Follow Warwickshire's Poppy Appeal
Lisa Harrison lisaharrison@britishlegion.org.uk T: 02476 334241 M: 07717 421063
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WARWICKSHIRE LOCAL NEWS
Danny gets on his London
Marathon mark to get set and go
for the Poppy Appeal
He explained, "I am running the London Marathon 2015
and collecting sponsorship on behalf of The Royal
British Legion to try to give something back to help
people who may need the Legion's help and support".
Lisa Harrison, Community Fundraiser said: “We are
very grateful to Danny for taking on the marathon. It is
an incredible experience and we wish him the best of
luck,” she said, “Apart from the dedicated training that
goes into preparing for the marathon, the fantastic
fundraising that he is undertaking on behalf of the
Poppy Appeal will make a real difference to the lives of
those we support.
If you would like to support Danny and sponsor his
efforts please visit Danny's fundraising page, details
below
www.justgiving.com/DannyWilson78.
Lord Lieutenant Poppy Appeal
Awards Cadet Competition
2015
For the past 15 years Cadet Forces across the county
have helped to raise money for the Poppy Appeal.
Starting with just a handful of units raising hundreds of
pounds the cadet Competition has now developed with
30 units participating raising in excess of £60,000 in
2014.
Danny in training just completing a 9 mile run
Shirley branch member Danny Wilson is in training to
take on the London Marathon to raise funds for the
Poppy Appeal. Danny will be one of the many runners
taking part in the momentous challenge, which takes
place in London on Sunday 26th April 2015.
Danny joined the army in 1995 as an apprentice
tradesman in the Corps of Royal Electrical and
Mechanical Engineers (REME). He then went onto
serve 8 years at various different units including the
Irish Guards, Royal Dragoon Guards and Royal
Engineers. Danny served 5 years in Germany in
Hameln and Munster saw operational service in Kosovo
in 1999 and endured a 6 month tour. Danny has taken
part in several high profile military exercises across the
world including Canada, Poland and Oman.
He left the army in 2003 and has been a member of the
Legion since then.
Danny has seen first-hand the benefits that the Royal
British Legion offers both current and ex-servicemen
and women. He has friends and former comrades who
have been seriously injured and killed on active
service.
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This year’s award ceremony will be held at Old Shire
Hall (The Old Warwick Crown Court foyer), Warwick on
Tuesday 21st April at 19:00.
Unfortunately, this year's funding stream for the awards
ceremony did end. Without the support of our Lord
Lieutenant who has taken up room hire costs and a
private donation received for refreshments this event
would not be able to take place. A big thank you for all
funds received.
WARWICKSHIRE LOCAL NEWS
Poppy Forums 2015
Archie Smith invited to No. 10
Archie Smith with David Cameron at No. 10
Poppy Appeal Organiser from Nuneaton Archie Smith
was invited to attend a reception at 10 Downing Street
with Prime Minster David Cameron on 5th January
2015.
Mckile our young collector in Leamington
This year's Poppy Appeal forums will be taking place in
4 (maybe 5) separate locations around the county
throughout the first two weeks in July. The forums will
be held on different days of the week at different times
including a Saturday.
Archie was nominated by his local MP Marcus Jones in
relation to being a Community Champion for all his
voluntary efforts and attended the reception with other
volunteers from around the country.
The invitation came as rather a surprise to Archie
although he was thrilled to go along and fly the flag for
the Legion, its Poppy Appeal and Nuneaton.
Each forum will include a theme and workshop (social
media, poppy shops, poppy launch, welfare update)
facilitated by a champion with a particular skill in a given
area. This model will allow for sharing of best practice
whilst receiving updates in relation to new products and
procedures from Poppy Factory, Aylesford.
Archie has been operating the Poppy Appeal supported
by his team since 2008. This year sees a record
collection amount counted and banked in the region of
£61K.
PAO's are asked to attend the forum / forums of their
choice with any volunteer collectors / stakeholders from
their team.
In the photograph Archie is talking to Mr Cameron about
Nuneaton's Poppy Appeal and the generosity of its
people.
Date
Location
Time
06072015
Stratford RBL Club
11:00 13:30
He explained further to the Prime Minister about the
new schools pack initiative and how in one particular
school their collection had improved by 600%
Theme
David Cameron thanked Archie for efforts and was
thrilled to hear that year on year Nuneaton's total
Poppy
Launch
and Social Media
continues
to grow.
07072015
Prince of Wales - Wilnecote
19:00 21:30
Nice one Archie!
Working with Supermarkets and other static manned points
11072015
Solihull RBL Club
11:00 13:30
Challenge Events
14072015
Leamington RNA Club
11:30 14:00
Pop up Poppy Shop
To allow for the provision of refreshments number of
attendees will have to be given prior to each event.
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NATIONAL NEWS
Summer Thames Boat Cruise
Thursday 2nd July
If you would like to find out more about gifts in Wills,
please contact Liz Fredericks, Legacy Manager
(T: 020 3207 2259, lfredericks@britishlegion.org.uk)
or Lauren Barr, Legacy Marketing Coordinator
(020 3053 7007, lbarr@britishlegion.org.uk). Or
alternatively, visit http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/getinvolved/legacies/leave-a-legacy .
Aylesford Update
2015 poppy pins are in stock and can be ordered via
PAOs Regional Administrators, but please only order
what you require for now and any events through the
summer.
As summer gets underway, we will be cruising along the
Thames for a fabulous summer party. The Legion has
chartered the stunning Silver Sturgeon, one of the most
luxurious Thames cruisers, for a chance to party under
the stars whilst enjoying the gentle pace of the river.
After being welcomed on board with champagne, join us
for an evening of relaxing fun and dine with us as
London’s amazing skyline passes gently by.
After dinner, there will be time to dance the rest of the
night away to music from the Central Band of The Royal
British Legion and take your chances in our floating
casino before it is time to return to Westminster Pier and
dry land.
Aylesford are now in the construction phase of their
online ordering programme for PAOs. There are a
number of PAOs that are assisting with this and they will
also be helping as Aylesford progress to the testing
phase. Ray Sheppard Head of Poppy Appeal will
ensure that all PAOs are kept up to date as they move
through the project and it is hoped to have some of the
PAO volunteers online by the next Appeal.
Corporate Partners Activity for VE Day
Tickets £250 each with tables of 8 or 10 available as
well as cosy booths for 6.
Contact Rebecca on 020 3207 2272,
rpride@britishlegion.org.uk
Online booking: www.britishlegion.org.uk/thamescruise
Coventry Building Society, Warner Hotels and Marks &
Spencer have all kindly agreed to make VE Day pins
available. They will be asking for a suggested donation
of £2 with 100% of the proceeds coming to the Legion.
Gifts in Wills
Johnston Press, one of the largest local media
companies in the country, will be making a VE Day
supplement for all readers during May.
In 2012/13, 895 supporters generously left gifts in their
Wills. This generated an amazing £11,931,000 for the
Royal British Legion. This income can be broken down
amongst the regions as follows:
eBay, will be encouraging donations at checkout from
the 4-8th of May. There will also be a banner advertising
VE Day celebrations on eBay's homepage on the run up
to the appeal.
Warner Leisure Hotels will be hosting VE Day
celebration parties at their 13 country and coastal hotels
across the UK. Guests will come together to join the
celebration with great food and entertainment, but most
importantly to raise funds for the Legion.
Gifts in Wills are extremely important for the Legion and
we would love your help in promoting the importance of
this method of giving amongst our supporters and
volunteers.
Gifts in Wills help the Royal British Legion to plan for the
future and although we don’t know what challenges we
will face, we have confidence that we can continue to
improve the lives of thousands of serving members of
the Armed Forces, ex-Service men and women and
their families.
Westminster Collection, a long-term partner of the
charity, will be launching a free VE Day medal (above),
with £1.50 post and packing, and will donate 50p to the
Legion for each medal that’s claimed. Available from the
end of April, for details visit www.freevedaymedal.co.uk
Wild and Wolf will be hosting a staff party at their Head
Office in Bath and staff will be getting dressed up 1940’s
style. They will also be selling their ‘Home Front’ range
and emailing all buyers with information on how to get
involved.
In the lead up to VE Day more corporate partners will be
announcing their plans to commemorate the
anniversary. For any questions please email
corporatepartnerships@britishlegion.org.uk.
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