THIS year has seen the tragedy of too many young British lives lost to conflict in Afghanistan. Since 2001, more than 220 members of the armed forces have been killed in Afghanistan, and more than 300 have been wounded in Helmand Province alone.
Under the motto, "For their sake, wear a poppy", the Royal British Legion's 2009 Poppy Appeal in Devon highlighted the need for support for the wounded and bereaved of Afghanistan - today and for the rest of their lives.
We call upon the public to honour the fallen, and to care for the injured and their families, by wearing a poppy.
During Remembrancetide, we honour the memory of those who have died. But doing this, we will not forget the living and, particularly, those who have had their lives shattered by dreadful wounding, or the loss of a loved one.
The funds raised through the annual Poppy Appeal help provide emotional and financial support for those Servicemen, and their families, who are trying to rebuild their lives. The people of Devon generously donated £857,000 during last year's Poppy Appeal. However, the RBL sees daily increases in the number of people turning to them for help.
Their national total to date is £30.5m, for which they thank you.
How are Poppy Appeal funds being used to make a difference?
Nationally…
• Since 2003, the Legion provided financial help to 10,000 Service personnel, recent veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan and their families;
• The RBL represented one-third of all the appeals for higher compensation payments for injuries suffered in Afghanistan;
• The RBL's campaigning has led to increased compensation awards which have placed an extra £7.5m in the pockets of the most seriously injured;
• The RBL's campaigns are also resulting in £24m in improvements to the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre at Headley Court in Surrey;
• The RBL is also securing priority NHS health care for wounded veterans, better support for bereaved families, and better access to mental health care for veterans.
• The Legion currently spends more than a £1m a week in its work helping over 130,000 other members of the Armed Forces Family - dependents, veterans and the bereaved. This year it hopes to extend its reach to more than 160,000 beneficiaries;
• The Legion provides £1.8m for Combat Stress to provide treatment for mental traumas suffered in Afghanistan and Iraq;
• The Legion steps in to provide housing, employment, and financial assistance to veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq;
• The Legion provides Adventure Breaks and Family Holidays to hundreds of veterans of Afghanistan and Iraq;
• The Legion is the UK's most effective campaigner for improved conditions for the Armed Forces.
In Devon alone in the last 12 months, the RBL has awarded £837,048 in grants through completion of more than 1,200 cases - the need is growing.
The support they have given this year has been extensive. They have provided aid in the form of grants to local beneficiaries for household items; assistance for the provision of mobility aids; assistance for funeral and removal expenses and assistance with clothing and food vouchers to name but a few.
They are providing wide-ranging support to the vulnerable and homeless together with services via their Money and Benefits advisors and Tribunal assistance.
So now you know.
