We must never forget!

Eagle-eyed readers of the three Medway newspapers will not have failed to have noticed my recent presence in an attempt to raise support for the UK’s Armed Forces.

As many people will know, supporting Service Personnel is something which I believe in passionately. The sacrifices they, and their families, make in our name must never be forgotten and we must do all we can to help those who suffer as a result of conflicts past and present

Despite the unfortunate situation in my local branch of the Royal British Legion (refer to the letters pages of last Sunday’s Kent on Sunday), through a relative of mine at the RBL’s headquarters in Aylesford, my Air Cadet squadron has managed to once again obtain a plentiful supply of boxes in order to collect for the Poppy Appeal.

My first box immediately made its way into the Co-operative where I work, and I have been pleased to see people in Twydall wandering around wearing poppies and showing their support. On Monday, a friend and I also spent a good two hours in Gillingham High Street (in the rain, I might add) trying to sell more.

I am happy to say I am not the only one. Chatham and Aylesford’s Conservative Candidate Tracey Crouch was out and about on Monday, with two local councillors, selling poppies (more details on her website) and a few of our Cadets are already on their second, or even third, box of poppies!

It was unfortunate to hear, however, that during a door-to-door push in Gillingham last night, an abnormally high rate of refusals was received. Don’t get me wrong – many people are continuing to support the Appeal, and rightly so. Yet the number of people snubbing it seems to be increasing year-on-year, which is a saddening thought.

So in case you needed reminding, here are a few facts to remind you why it is so important never to forget:

• 9.7 million service personnel of all countries died in the Great War, a further 10 million were injured
• The Great War was the war to end all wars, yet it seemed to be only the start of the destructive modern warfare we see today
• 25 million service personnel of all countries died in the Second World War
• Fatalities and injuries have not ceased because these famous wars have finished: 177 UK service personnel have been killed in Iraq since 2003 and 121 in Afghanistan since 2001

Our service personnel know the risks they will be facing, yet are still prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice for their country, only to return to sub-standard treatment by the government and abuse from ignorant members of the public.

The British National Party, for all their (many) faults, gave us all a poignant reminder of the harsh realities facing some of our former service personnel (just try to ignore the racist undertones):

The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal sets about to help those who fought for their country and yet are now suffering, but as a charity relies on the donations from people such as you and me. The British Legion can use the money as follows:

• ?5 will ensure that a housebound or hospitalised person receives a friendship visit
• ?20 could help towards providing skilled advice and an hour’s legal representation at a Disability Allowance or War Pension tribunal
• ?75 could help towards providing a fresh start for an ex-Service man or woman so they can them adjust to life outside the Services
• ?250 could buy an emergency lifeline alarm for an elderly ex-service person or their spouse
• ?360 would give a frail ex-Service veteran a much needed break at one of our Poppy Homes
• ?800 could provide a severely disabled person and their carer with a much needed welfare break
• ?1000 would give a bed-ridden resident of one of our homes a special mattress to make daily life more comfortable
• ?2000 could purchase an Electrically Powered Vehicle or scooter to give elderly or disabled veterans back mobility and an independent life
• ?5000 could arrange a bathroom adaptation which would assist a disabled person to perform basic functions in their home such as having a shower or washing safely

So please, next time you are passing a poppy seller, or in a store (or pub) with a poppy box, please give as generously as you can. Even the smallest donation can make such a difference.