Maisie thanked by veteran for raising funds
AFUNDRAISER for the Royal British Legion, aged just 11, has met up with military veteran and beneficiary of the Royal British Legion, Tip Cullen.
Maisie has been raising awareness of, and fundraising for, the RBL for seven years. Funds raised go on to support the Armed Forces community, including Reservist Tip, 54, who was supported by the RBL by participating in Bravo 22 – a recovery through the arts programme.
During Maisie and Tip’s meeting at ‘Poppy Street’ in Plymouth, Maisie thanked Tip for his 30 years of service, and Tip thanked Maisie for her years of dedicated fundraising.
Maisie said: “You must have given up a lot to serve for so long in the Marines, and you risked your life to protect people like me although you’ve never even met me. I know you also lost a few friends, so I wanted to thank you for all your years of service.”
Tip told her: “Your fundraising for the RBL is just phenomenal, and it’s great to see a young person such as yourself be so passionate about Remembrance too.”
This year the RBL is recognising the extraordinary service our Armed Forces offer to the country, and how they risk everything to protect you, despite having never met you.
Maisie’s passion for supporting the Armed Forces community began when she was just four years old. Maisie’s father, James, served in the Royal Logistics Corps for twelveand-a half years, but when Maisie was just three years old James was medically discharged from the Army with a spinal injury.
Seeing the impact that the injury had on her father, Maisie was keen to make a difference and, in her words, “raise money for people like my Daddy”.
She hosted a bake sale outside her home in Plymouth at just four years old, where she raised £100. Seven years later and Maisie is still a dedicated fundraiser for the UK’s largest Armed Forces charity.
Each year for the Poppy Appeal, Maisie transforms her street into “Poppy Street”, adorning lampposts with giant poppies, planting her very own Field of Remembrance, and encouraging residents to remember the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces, and to donate to the RBL where they can.
Izy Shaw, Community Fundraiser for South Devon for the RBL said: “The work that Maisie has done over the years is just wonderful, and it’s great to see someone so young be so passionate about the work of the Royal British Legion. Not only is Maisie raising awareness of remembrance and the importance of wearing your poppy to show the armed forces community that their service and sacrifice won’t be forgotten, but her fundraising is also an amazing achievement.
“These vital funds provide lifelong services for current serving personnel, veterans, and their families, so we’re incredibly grateful for Maisie’s dedication.”
The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal runs until Remembrance Sunday on Sunday, November 13.