Legion’s front-line fight for new blood
The Royal British Legion (RBL) in Eastwood is appealing for new members after seeing a decline in numbers over the last few years.
The forces group has changed its venue to a pub in Awsworth in a bid to attract new, younger members.
Poppy Appeal organiser Maria Kirk said there were 30 members in the group, but only about a dozen were hands-on with events and fundraising, and they need new members who are willing to get involved in the legion’s work.
“The present membership is going down due to age and illness, and no new members are coming in,” seh said.
“The branch would like to encourage more young people to join so we thought a change of venue might work.”
Ms Kirk sad the legion had a reputation for being ‘old and fuddy-duddy’, but it was a great opportunity for people of all ages.
“I don’t think a lot of people understand what the legion does,” she added. “Help for Heroes seems modern and young, but I think the British Legion gives a picture of being old-fashioned and fuddy-duddy to some people and I think that’s what puts them off. The legion is for all age groups. We used to have younger members, and now the work of the legion is more important than ever with all the conflicts going on.”
New members can get involved in fundraising, county-wide activities, go on trips and get involved in becoming a standard bearer.
The RBL supports serving and former armed-forces personnel and their families. The Eastwood branch has raised thousands of pounds through the annual Poppy Appeal and organise the annual Remembrance Sunday events.
forces personnel and their families. The Eastwood branch has aised thousands of pounds.
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Weather for Eastwood
Sunday 26 May 2013
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Sunny
Temperature: 5 C to 16 C
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