A MILITARY champion is urging former members of the armed services to come aid of the local branch of the Royal British Legion.
The Saddleworth members are becoming increasing concerned over their future as their present committee, which has just eight regular members, are all in their 70s and 80s.
The stalwarts served in the forces during National Service days and are desperate to encourage service personnel who served in the Falklands, both Gulf Wars, Bosnia, Afghanistan or other foreign fields to join their ranks.
And now, Debee Hardie, landlady of The Granby Arms in Uppermill, has promised to help promote the legion’s works.
Debee, whose hero son Barry, a sergeant in the guards who has seen action in Iraq and Afghanistan, has over the years sent troops more than 5,000 boxes of goodies as part of her Shoebox Soldier campaign.
She said: “The Legion do a great job in supporting all the forces. I will do everything I can to help them build their membership.”
RBL branch secretary Joe Hughes, 78, served in the Hussars and has been a member for more than 30 years.
He said: “That is a great offer from Debee – we shall certainly discuss it with her.”
Des Powell, 76, the branch’s poppy organiser, added: “As Poppy Organiser for Saddleworth Royal British Legion I am increasingly concerned for our future We need more active members.
“We have the support of the ATC at Remembrance time otherwise it is up to our committee to distribute and collect the poppies and count the monies – we raised £10,200 last year.”
Interested parties should contact Saddleworth RBL branch secretary Joe Hughes on 01457 873165; or Des Powell: 0161 626 5489.They hold their meetings at 8-30pm on the first Tuesday of each month at Uppermill Conservative Club.
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