Carmarthenshire residents urged to wear their Poppy with pride

PEOPLE of all ages, and from all walks of life, are being urged to support this year’s Poppy Appeal.

Leader of Carmarthenshire County Council and Armed Forces Champion, Cllr Kevin Madge, is encouraging everyone to wear their Poppy with pride as part of Remembrance Day commemorations.

The annual British Legion appeal raises millions of pounds every year to help fund welfare services for Armed Forces personnel and veterans.

Thousands of volunteers get involved, selling Poppies in their towns and communities.

It is a cause dear to Cllr Madge’s heart, as Chair of the Royal British Legion in Garnant, his home community.

He said: “Every donation helps, no matter how large or small. To wear a Poppy shows you have respect for all those who have laid their lives on the line for the sake of our country. I will be wearing mine with pride, and I hope to see people – young and old – doing the same.”

Poppies have been worn since the 1920s, inspired by John McCrae’s poem ‘In Flanders Fields’.

Remembrance Day is commemorated every year to mark the end of the First World War, on the 11th hour, of the 11th day of the 11th month.

Cllr Kevin Madge is especially proud of his role as Armed Forces Champion owing to his family’s links with the forces.

His grandfather, who was an air raid warden, founded the Garnant branch of the British Legion in 1923.

In 1999 Cllr Madge followed in his footsteps by becoming president of the branch.

His role as Armed Forces Champion allows him to support personnel and veterans, acting as their first point of contact if they have issues to discuss or resolve at a community level, whether it be council or NHS services.