10th October 2012
- The Abbey Tavern, La Florida, Orihuela Costa
The 2012 Poppy Appeal Launch for District North of
The Royal British Legion was held on Wednesday
10th October with over 80 guests, members and friends
attending.
Chris Wyatt, District Chairman, , Paul Rodwell,
District President and British Consul in Alicante, Pedro
Mancebo, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for the Coast (Orihuela
Costa), Keith Carter, District Ceremonial Organiser and
Denise Wesserling Foreign Residents' Liaison Officer for
Orihuela Costa
The Torrevieja Pipes and Drums led the colourful procession of
Standards carried by not only the local Legion Branches but also
other Armed Forces associations in the area. Local residents
lined the streets as the parade marched past and into the very
attractive gardens of The Abbey Tavern.
The Chairman of the District North Committee welcomed the
District President and British Consul Paul Rodwell, together with
Pedro Mancebo, local Deputy Mayor, other honoured guests and
friends. Chris explained " a verse from the famous poem For
the Fallen, written by Laurence Binyon in 1914, is read before
every Legion event and meeting in order to re-affirm the Legion's
commitment to remember the sacrifices made for us all by all those
men and women who gave their lives in conflict"
They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
Following the Exhortation Paul Rodwell spoke of his support and
how impressed he is by charities like The RBL who dedicate their
time to assisting those who may be suffering in some way.
Robin Hargrave, the District Poppy Appeal Co-ordinator then
encouraged those present to help raise much needed funds to further
the work of the charity. Over 134,000€ was raised last year
in our District of Spain and every cent goes to assisting present
and former Armed Service personnel and their families in times of
great need.
Chris Wyatt ended by stating "The Legion is changing with the
times. We are building new homes for the rehabilitation of mind and
body. We are planning to open centres where potential
beneficiaries can come and receive advice and support for all
their needs so even if we cannot give immediate help, we can direct
them to the correct agency who can. The Legion is now a
Twitter and Facebook entity with films on YouTube so that we are
well and truly embracing the electronic age in an effort to reach
out to as many people as possible. The Charity spends £1.7m a
week on welfareand with Veterans who could be as young as 18, it
can be seen that support from the Legion will be required for years
to come.
Please wear your poppy with pride - Our Service men and women
deserve the best we can give them,help us to help
them"
Pedro Mancebo, Deputy Mayor and Councillor for the
Coast (Orihuela Costa), Paul Rodwell, District President and
British Consul in Alicante, Robin Hargrave, District Poppy Appeal
Co-ordinator and Chris Wyatt, District Chairman
