The 85-year-old Stoke Gifford Branch of the Royal British Legion (RBL) is holding a fundraising concert for the Legion’s Poppy Appeal/Welfare Fund, featuring the ever-popular Westerly Showband.
The concert takes place on Saturday 23rd February 2013, in the Old School Rooms, Stoke Gifford, starting at 7:30pm. Tickets paid for in advance are £5; at the door £6.
For advance tickets, please contact Branch President Brian Hewitt MBE on 01454 775632.
The Concert is part of a series of fundraising activities organised by the branch as part of their ‘Team85’ 85th Anniversary celebrations.
Branch Poppy Appeal Organiser John Moloney has set a target of raising £40,000 for the the 2012/13 Poppy Appeal.
And Matthew Moran, who two years ago did a sponsored cycle ride from Land’s End to John O’Groats with his son Fraser, raising about £2,500 for the Poppy Appeal, is planning another sponsored cycle ride for the appeal later this year.
The band will be performing for free, with printing donated by printers EPC Direct, and use of the Old School Rooms kindly donated by St Michael’s Church.
All proceeds will go to the Legion’s Poppy Appeal/Welfare Fund to help fund the legion’s welfare work with current and ex-military personnel and their families.
The Branch is also launching its Team85 Logo, designed by Cardiff University Student Charlotte Husher, daughter of a branch member and welfare worker Nick Husher.
The branch, only seven years younger than the legion nationally, is also celebrating winning the RBL Gloucestershire County’s Marlin Cup for most efficient small branch for the second year running. The Cup was awarded at the RBL Gloucestershire County Conference in January 2013.
Branch Chairman Hilary Bloor said:
“This year, the Stoke Gifford Branch celebrates its 85th year of existence and as such our Poppy Appeals Co-ordinator John Moloney has set the challenge to raise £40,000 within the year, for the Poppy Appeal. So, in addition to promoting our 85th logo on letter headings and posters, we are immensely proud to announce our forthcoming band concert, courtesy of Westerly Band.
“On display will be the stunning mosaic poppy design by Felicity Ball of Just Mosaics who has donated it to raise funds for the Poppy Appeal. Our 85th logo was designed by Charlotte Husher of Cardiff University. Throughout the year, we campaign to raise more funds for the work of the British Legion, in providing welfare for those in need.”
Chair of Welfare Terry Webber said:
“The Poppy Appeal will bring us the vital cash we need to help ex-service personnel and their families, and current members of the services, to provide the help they require. The welfare work and the need are growing.”
The Stoke Gifford branch has a strong team of five welfare workers who carry out casework over a wide area. If you or someone you know needs support from the Legion please contact Terry Webber on 07905 905388.
Nationally the RBL distributes £1.7 million of help every week to current and ex-service personnel and their families.
Photo: Photo: The poppy mosaic is presented to the Stoke Gifford branch of the Royal British Legion. L-R: John Moloney (Branch Poppy Appeal Organiser), Felicity Ball (Just Mosaics), Brian Hewitt MBE (Branch President).
Related link: What’s On in Stoke Gifford (The Journal)
