Letter of the week: Poppy Appeal was well supported in Rutland

Work has been going on to count the proceeds from Remembrance Sunday.

It’s about a month since Remembrance Sunday took place and, quite understandably, one’s thoughts turn to the next major event on the calendar, Christmas. Quite right.

However, in the intervening weeks, much work has gone on to count the donations to the Poppy Appeal, which is one of the main focuses of the season of remembrance. The Poppy Appeal organiser for the Rutland branch of the Royal British Legion, Gwyn Andrews, bears the greater part of the responsibility for organising the appeal and, once the money is in, the branch treasurer, Richard Harris takes over. His unenviable task is to empty and count the contents of 113 collecting tins from various collection points and individual poppy collectors from around the local area.

• John Elson's cartoon is sponsored by the Assist Group

He must also count the monies so generously given in other ways. The good news is that he’s finished and we, of the Rutland branch of the legion, are delighted that the sum raised in the 2022 Poppy Appeal is£24,456.83. All of that sum has already been paid into the legion’s coffers and will be put to work in support of serving personnel, veterans and dependants who find themselves in need. The work of the legion never stops and we, in Rutland, are pleased and proud of our support for this cause.

The sum raised comes from a wide range of sources, schools, shops, pubs, collections at local retail outlets, church services etc. However, the overall income enjoyed a terrific boost this year as a result of the first ever Rutland Festival of Remembrance. This event, the initiative of His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Rutland, Dr Sarah Furness, which was held in Uppingham, raised over £7,000 - a most impressive and hugely welcome sum.

Rutland is a county with a powerful military heritage. In recent decades, this was largely to do with the Royal Air Force links, but that is now mutating to the very strong links with the Army at Kendrew and St George’s Barracks. This, and the simple generosity of Rutlanders, means that the sums raised by the Rutland branch of the legion always indicate that the county ‘punches above its weight’ in terms of funds raised by the Poppy Appeal. This year is no exception and long may it be that way.

David Smith

Vice-chairman, Rutland

Royal British Legion