Witham MP celebrates launch of Poppy Appeal

Priti presents a cheque for £500 to the RBL Witham Branch Chairman, Col. Charles Thomas (left) and its President, Mike Sharpe.

Witham MP celebrates launch of Poppy Appeal

Published: 1st November 2021 - 10:15 am Category: Local News

The Member of Parliament for the Witham constituency, Priti Patel has joined Witham Town Mayor, Cllr Angela Kilmartin and the Witham Branch of the Royal British Legion to celebrate the launch of the Poppy Appeal 2021, at the annual Poppy Prom, organised by the Royal British Legion in Witham.

The Poppy Prom held at the RBL Memorial Hall on Saturday (30th October), marks the official start of the campaign to raise money to provide financial, social and emotional support to those who have served or who are currently serving in the British Armed Forces and their dependants. Last year the Witham community raised an impressive £29,405 towards the appeal, despite the difficulties created by the Covid restrictions.

Priti, a long-term supporter of the Witham RBL, said: “It is always a great honour for me to attend the Poppy Prom in Witham and to help the Legion get this year’s appeal underway. Raising funds was particularly difficult last year but the people of Witham still managed to raise a remarkable amount of money to help those who have served their country. I am sure that this year they will, once again, come together to show their support for our armed forces past and present.”

Priti made a donation of £500 to the Witham Royal British Legion, presenting a cheque to the Legion’s local Chairman, Col. (Retd) Charles Thomas TD DL, during the evening.

Col Thomas said: “The Witham British Legion Branch is very grateful to Priti for her donation and for joining us at the Poppy Prom. The support from our elected representatives in Parliament and on the Council means a lot to us. This was our ninth ‘Poppy Prom’ and their support has been continuous, as it has been for the Remembrance Sunday Parade and service at the Memorial.

“We are once again indebted to the Essex Concert Band whose members have freely given of their time to put on another superb show for us. As we know from our collection points all over the Town, the people of Witham are always very generous to our appeal. The support that their donations provide is so important and so very much appreciated.”