Rhondda Cynon Taf Council are pleased to have hosted the South East Wales Poppy Appeal Launch 2023, which took place at Ynysangharad War Memorial Park in Pontypridd on Saturday, 28 October. The service was led by the Royal British Legion and saw over 300 members of the Armed Forces Community and the public attend to show their support.
Cllr. Maureen Webber, Deputy Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Armed Forces Champion, said: “Rhondda Cynon Taf Council were honoured to host this year’s South East Wales Poppy Appeal Launch that took place in Ynysangharad Park on Saturday, 28 October.
“The Poppy Appeal is a fantastic opportunity for our community to honour the brave individuals who made sacrifices for our future, and to raise money to support our Armed Forces community and veterans.
“Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, a Ministry of Defence Armed Forces Covenant Gold Employer recipient, has a remarkable record of supporting and valuing our Armed Forces. I am pleased to say that there was a great turnout for the launch event, and it was a day filled with pride and unity.”
Rhondda Cynon Taf Council proudly supports the Royal British Legion for the Poppy Appeal each year, encouraging people to wear a poppy in tribute to the countless men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice to serve our country and secure our future.
Philip Richards, Branch Chairman of the Royal British Legion in Pontypridd, said: “The Royal British Legion were proudly joined by representatives from Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and members of the Armed Forces community, for the annual South East Wales Poppy Appeal Launch.
“Every year, we come together to rally support and raise funds for our Armed Forces Community to aid individuals who may be struggling. The money raised annually goes into our central fund, ready to be utilised as and when individuals apply for support.
“As a charity, the Royal British Legion are dedicated to ensuring the well-being of all members of our Armed Forces by offering financial assistance. We provide support with mobility issues, mental health, welfare, and much more. This year, our fund will also focus on helping those who are facing difficulties with rising living costs.
“The Royal British Legion’s Pontypridd branch, part of the South East Wales district, raised over £32,000 during the Poppy Appeal last year and have already raised over £14,000 this year.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to Rhondda Cynon Taf Council for their continued support of the Royal British Legion. We also want to thank the wider community for their participation and for their generous and continued donations.”
The Royal British Legion were established in 1921 and are the country’s largest Armed Forces charity. They currently have over 180,000 members and 110,000 volunteers. They are a national network who provide advice, support, and assistance to members of the Armed Forces community.
For more information and to make a donation, please visit their website or call 0345 845 1945.
The Council continue to celebrate the contribution of every member of the Armed Forces who have stepped up to defend our way of life and continue to do so today. In 2022, the Council recruited a dedicated Heritage Monuments and Historical Memorials Officer and invested further funds to ensure our memorials and cenotaphs are kept at the highest standards, in line with the War Memorials Trust guidance.
The Council’s Veteran Advice Service offers a wide range of support and assistance and has helped over six hundred veterans and family members. They provide free, impartial, and dedicated information, advice and support to members of the armed forces, past and present. To speak to dedicated officers in strict confidence, call 07747 485 619 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm), or email: VeteranService@rctcbc.gov.uk
The latest data shows that there are more than 7,500 armed forces veterans living across Rhondda Cynon Taf. Back in 2012, the Council became one of the first local authorities to sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant, a commitment that was reaffirmed in 2018 and which set the mark for the rest of Wales. The covenant is a mutual agreement of understanding between the civilian and armed forces community across the County Borough.
In 2017, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council was presented with the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award for our continued support of the armed forces community. This award was retained in October 2022 following an assessment of the Council’s commitments, including the introduction of the Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Veterans and Reservists in January 2022.
Posted on 14/11/2023