Press Release

Launch of Poppy Support

16 June 2006

The Royal British Legion, the UK's leading charity for the Serving and ex-Service community and their dependants, launched a new welfare brand, 'Poppy Support', on 5 June.

Poppy Support is the new welfare identity developed to promote the Legion's services through six areas of work covering: advice, funds, homes, volunteers, breaks and travel.Backed by a national PR and advertising campaign to be followed by key regional launches, the Legion will employ Poppy Support to raise awareness of its services and encourage more people to come forward to claim the help that is rightfully theirs.

"We know we're making a difference to the lives of thousands of Serving and ex-Service people and their dependants every year, but there are hundreds of thousands more who are in need right now, many of whom don't know we can help them," said Legion Director General, Ian Townsend.

"Think of all of the people on your train this morning; the people in your office, your university colleagues, or simply everyone on the street around you: one in six of them is eligible for Poppy Support. It could be you."

The new brand comes in the wake of research commissioned by the Legion suggesting as few as seven per cent of the 10.5 million strong ex-Service community accessed any of the support they were entitled to during the previous twelve-month period. The charity believes that more qualifying serving and ex-Service people and their families would apply for help if the choice of who to go to and what help is on offer was simpler.

"Poppy Support  is there for those who'd like someone trusted to help them access the pension or State benefits they're entitled to, equipment for their home to continue living independently as well as careers advice on leaving the Forces," explained Ian Townsend.

"Every November people see and wear the poppy with pride as a symbol of Remembrance.  It should also be a symbol of hope to people who need financial, social and emotional support now. If you or anyone you know needs Poppy Support, please telephone 0800 168 202 now," he said.

For those who have already benefited from contacting The Royal British Legion, the launch of Poppy Support is seen as a vital step in helping others.

Gemma Long, a Legion beneficiary, helped to launch Poppy Support at Victoria station. Gemma struggled to bring up her young child after her partner was killed on duty in Iraq in 2003. She heard of the Legion's support programmes through a friend's father and now, with the charity's help, has taken driving lessons and is slowly clearing debts. Gemma says, "Facing life without Paul is still very hard, but The Royal British Legion has lifted at least some of the weight from my shoulders."

To find out more about Poppy Support and The Royal British Legion, please visit www.britishlegion.org.uk or telephone 0800 168 202.