Royal British Legion

Pratyusha “Prats” Dasgupta is proud to be one of RBL’s Poppy Appeal collectors, who takes to the streets each year to encourage members of the public to pick up a poppy in remembrance and support of our Armed Forces community. “Having lived in four countries, I’ve seen how the Royal British Legion operates in ways that I’ve not seen other countries do. When I lived in Singapore, a teacher told us about the Poppy Appeal, what the poppy stood for, and a brief overview of the Royal British Legion. I couldn’t believe that an organisation that was so British had made its way across the Indian Ocean to Singapore, a tiny island country in South-East Asia! It was interesting for 17-year-old me to see and experience that.” Prats got stuck in and started collecting for the Poppy Appeal at Sloane Square Tube Station in London, and told us how much she enjoys interacting with the public and spreading the word about RBL’s work with the Armed Forces community. “It’s interesting to interact with the local community and tourists alike as I was collecting in an area which is loved by both! I enjoyed explaining to tourists from many different countries about the RBL and the meaning behind the Poppy. “If anyone was considering becoming a collector for the Poppy Appeal, I’d tell them that they would be doing something worthwhile for the people who keep you safe, and they deserve to feel safe too.” Each year we are so grateful to welcome thousands of generous volunteers, who dedicate their time to collecting for the Poppy Appeal, and stand by our side as we lead the country in Remembrance. If, like Prats, you want to have a positive impact on veterans and their families, join our most important fundraising campaign of the year—the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal : https://lnkd.in/d5HzCciF

“Recovery is very much at the forefront of our minds.” We caught up with Team UK as they tried out some of the sports that will feature for the first time at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. At these Games you can expect to see new winter adaptive sports including Alpine Skiing, Snowboarding, Skeleton and more. For many competitors, both the preparation and the Games themselves are crucial parts of their recovery and rehabilitation journeys. We’ll be with them every step of the way. Let’s go Team UK! UK Ministry of Defence | The Invictus Games Foundation #InvictusGames #ArmedForcesCommunity #UKVeterans

It’s coming home - by which we mean the Invictus Games!   We are delighted by the news from The Invictus Games Foundation that Birmingham, UK will be the host city for the 2027 Invictus Games.   As Team UK prepare for the upcoming 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler, Team Captain Stephen “Hoops” Hooper shared how much the announcement event will mean to our participants:   “This will mean the world to Team UK, not only so their friends and family can watch them compete, but so the British public can cheer them on.   “As we prepare for Canada next year, it’s great to know the Games are coming home in 2027.”   From the city’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital treating wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans, to the nearby Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Birmingham is a city steeped in military history and connection and a poignant venue for the Games.   It is also a location close to the hearts of Team UK participants, with RBL’s Battle Back Centre - our home for recovery through sport - being a short drive away in Lilleshall.   “Birmingham is a special place for wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans, as they all come through here at some point,” Hoops said.   On behalf of everyone at the Royal British Legion and Team UK, we look forward to welcoming teams from nations across the world to celebrate our serving personnel and veterans through adaptive sport, and to create memories to last a lifetime. Invictus Games Birmingham 2027 UK Ministry of Defence  #InvictusGames #IG27 #ArmedForcesCommunity #UKVeterans

We are honoured to once again be working with South Asian Heritage Month to share stories which exemplify the incredible contribution of people of South Asian descent in the Armed Forces, and thank them for their courageous and noble sacrifice. Inspired by his father and grandfather, WOII Khadak Bahadur Chhetri is the third generation of his family to serve in the same regiment of the British Army. Khadak’s grandfather, Subedar Major Kalu Chhetri Sirdar Bahadur OBI MBE MC (pictured in slide 2), served in the 2nd King Edward’s Own Gurkha Rifles and suffered harsh conditions as a Japanese Prisoner of War in WW2. Seventy years after his grandfather’s remarkable service, Khadak accepted an MBE on his behalf. Growing up in Hong Kong, Khadak watched his father, Capt (QGO) Bishnu Bahadur Chhetri (pictured in slide 3), dutifully serve in the British Army but sadly he passed away in 1982 when Khadak was just nine years old. Seeing his father’s life and service cut short, fired Khadak’s determination to honour his legacy through service. In 1992, he was accepted into the same regiment as his father and grandfather. "It was simply icing on the cake.” Having now served over 32 years, Khadak is grateful for the opportunities to blend traditions and experiences while away from home and fondly remembers observing Tihar in the jungle in Kenya, and Dashain with fellow Gurkhas during his tours in Afghanistan. "The army is a diverse organisation, and there is a place for people from all backgrounds,” he says. We are so grateful to Khadak and his family for their dedicated service. #SAHM24 #FreeToBeMe

“I have been called Mr Poppy by members of the local community, which I take as a compliment!” Meet Colin 👋 Colin is one of RBL’s amazing volunteers, who dedicates his time every year to coordinating the Poppy Appeal in his local community in Buntingford, Hertfordshire. Service and duty run through Colin’s veins, growing up in a military family and then going onto serve himself: “I served in the British Army as a metalsmith with the Royal Electrical Mechanical Engineers (R.E.M.E) during the period of the cold war. “Both my wife and I come from military families, both our fathers served in the British Army, and also my brother-in-law has served in the Royal Navy.” Colin is also a Standard Bearer at RBL’s Enfield branch and at his local branch when he’s needed, and he told us that giving back to his community and the wider Armed Forces community means a great deal to him. “Volunteering for the RBL, and especially the Poppy Appeal, to me personally is very important. “We currently live in troubled times, not only are we remembering those from past wars and conflicts - the 80th anniversary of D-Day is one example - but also helping and assisting the wounded, disabled, widowed and children of those have, and are still serving our country.” He told us how it is the people that make volunteering during the Poppy Appeal so rewarding: “The volunteers and myself in Buntingford continually meet people who give generously to the appeal. We meet people of all ages, both children and adults, who give us not only donations but also their stories and recollections of families and friends who served in the military.” It’s not long until we will take to the streets in our thousands, asking the general public to pick up a poppy in support of the Armed Forces community – and we need your help. “To anyone who is considering volunteering for the RBL Poppy Appeal, please help us,” was Colin’s message to you; “give it a go, you will not regret it.” If, like Colin, you want to have a positive impact on veterans and their families, join our most important fundraising campaign of the year—the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal: https://lnkd.in/g_acAG3w

Our response following the Kings Speech. #KingsSpeech #ArmedForcesCommunity

Join the March Past the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday 2024. Are you a veteran without a service or unit association? Register now through the Royal British Legion to proudly march alongside fellow veterans. Spaces are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so don't miss this chance. Please note, this invitation is open exclusively to UK and Commonwealth veterans from the Royal Navy, Army, Royal Air Force, and the Merchant Navy. Together, we remember the service and sacrifice of all those that have defended our freedoms and protected our way of life. Sign up today to secure your place - https://lnkd.in/gr8YTh_R

“Lots of folk instantly recognise a Poppy Appeal collector… it's great to engage them and explain just how their contribution helps.” Andy, a long-standing Poppy Appeal Organiser (PAO) at our Aldbury Branch, has dedicated his time and efforts to supporting veterans and their families. As an RBL member and RAF veteran, he has been an active force since moving to Aldbury in 1993. Over the years Andy has been responsible for raising over £55,000. “Volunteers raised £47m last year to support our armed forces community, an incredible achievement. We need collectors to take over from the generation before. You could learn a great deal about life and know you are raising funds for an excellent cause simultaneously.” If, like Andy, you want to have a positive impact on veterans and their families, join our most important fundraising campaign of the year—the Poppy Appeal. https://lnkd.in/ejs94cnp #PoppyAppeal #ArmedForcesCommunity

📣 Attention female veterans of the UK! It is vital that we recognise the unique and varied experiences of female veterans across the Armed Forces community. The Female Veterans' Transformation Programme, backed by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust and NHS England, is here to ensure you get the support you deserve. How can you get involved? If you are a female veteran, service provider, employer or charity that work with female veterans, head to the website: - Fill out the quick questionnaire - Register for upcoming workshops - Share your insights and make your voice heard! Together, we can create a toolkit to better serve our community. Visit their website now and be a part of the change: https://lnkd.in/edDhQ8mN

Introducing Team UK 2025 🙌 We’re excited to introduce the participants selected to represent Team UK at the Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025. RBL and the Ministry of Defence are supporting 64 wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans, plus their friends and family, to compete at the seventh Invictus Games which will feature winter sport events for the first time. Over the next few months we’ll be supporting them with training preparation ahead of February 2025, and we’ll be sharing their inspiring stories to show the power of sport in recovery and rehabilitation. Show your support, follow their journeys and help us cheer them all the way to Canada. #InvictusGames #ArmedForcesCommunity #UKVeterans UK Ministry of Defence The Invictus Games Foundation Invictus Games Vancouver Whistler 2025