The East of England marks Remembrance Day
We;re being reminded how crucial it is to donate to veterans’ charities
Last updated 15th Nov 2022
People across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex will mark Remembrance Day today.
A national two minute silence will be held at 11am to remember all those who've died while serving our country.
Joanne Ticehurst is the Royal British Legion’s Community Fundraising Manager for the East, and says it's extremely important to remember those who fought for Britain.
"Men and women lay down their lives so that we can live today and have the free world that we live in.
"Most people today in the UK will have had some member of their family who fought in one of the wars, so if we could pause for thought, wear a poppy to show that we care and that we're remembering, I feel that is tremendously important."
The charity will commemorate the weekend with a Festival of Remembrance on Sunday, paying a special tribute to Her late Majesty The Queen.
There will be performances from military bands and special guests such as Luke Evans, Andrea Bocelli, Hannah Waddingham and Marisha Wallace.
Joanne says it's not just about conflicts long ago either: "We helped a widow that wanted to know more about her husband's death. And she had a young son. And she told her son: ‘look at all those people wearing poppies; they're remembering daddy. But of course, we remember him every day.’
"That was just so poignant because her son then thought that everybody was remembering his daddy on that day and showing that they cared."
The Royal British Legion continues to support current service personnel too according to Joanne who recalls a young man who was in an explosion in Afghanistan and lost his leg and had limited movement in one arm.
"He liked to cook. So, we bought him a special chopping board so that he could still chop onions and still cook despite his injuries. Therefore, by donating you could help with things like this."
Donations can also support the Royal British Legion’s recovery centre in Lilleshall, the Battle Back Centre. There, soldiers and anybody who needs their help can go and recover.
Joanne said about the centre: "We see a lot of amputees there learning to do rock climbing again, racing again, doing wheelchair basketball… all sorts of things! So, you can also help with a big campaign like that."
However, Joanne is mindful that the pandemic and the recent economic crisis has impacted everyone, as it also affected the charity’s donations.
"Obviously donations were down more recently, but everybody has been hit by it, which also impacts what people feel they can donate. But we still have soldiers, sailors, airmen and women, and their families who desperately need help at this time."
Joanne also appealed for people to come forward and volunteer for the Royal British Legion, "after the pandemic, we suffered a loss of volunteers. So, we would really be grateful if people would sign up to come and help us for next year.
It's really rewarding to volunteer for the Royal British Legion, so please come forward and help us if you can."