The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Rallying call goes out for volunteers to save oldest Legion branch
The oldest British Legion branch in Scotland could be forced to close due to a lack of collection volunteers, it has been claimed.
The 96-year-old Forfar Royal British Legion Scotland (RBLS) branch desperately needs volunteers to step forward after husband and wife Charlie and Margaret Brown were left to run the club’s Poppy Appeal on their own this year.
The pair, who have been involved for almost 25 years, claim in the last few years volunteer numbers have dwindled.
They are appealing for members of the public, ex-service personnel and legion members to “step up to the plate” and volunteer some time to ensure its survival in the coming years.
Charlie, who is RBLS national chairman, said he has been left saddened.
“This year we have absolutely nobody. If we can’t get people to volunteer and collect then there will be no money to keep the branch open and so the club will also fold.
“I don’t think people realise that each local club relies on the local RBLS branch to stay open. We are really struggling.
“We no longer have stalwarts such as Mick McKeown, who passed away two years ago. It’s guys like him that we really miss now. He was the epitome of a legionnaire.
“He was involved for more than 40 years and used to work so hard.
“We need people to step up to the plate and even just contribute a couple of hours.”
Charlie and Margaret travelled down to London last year for the national Remembrance commemorations, with each laying a wreath at the Cenotaph.
They are both due to head down to London again this year for the events.
Charlie added: “Because we are going down to London again it actually means there will be nobody collecting up here at all.
“It’s not just in Forfar but in many places there just aren’t enough volunteers.
“This two-week period is what being a legion member is all about.”