The Bridport branch was awarded for their poppy appeal efforts. Mike Thompson and Kevin Boon won awards.
Mike Thompson, Bridport’s poppy appeal officer, won an award for best small branch. This is his second year winning. County president Sir Andrew Graham gave him the award. Kevin Boon, the Bridport branch standard bearer, also got a big award. He received highest honors for great achievement.
Kevin travelled all over last year, supporting veterans’ funerals and helping with event commemorations. He even did training sessions. Poppy appeal donations increased greatly, rising by 25 percent from last year. The 2024 appeal raised £21,900.
Mike has been the officer for three years; he raised over £55,000 in that time. The money helps serving and retired veterans. Many people helped with collections.
Lisa Cadman and Sam Foote collected at Morrisons, raising £10,473 there. John Dean and Bill Davies coordinated at Waitrose and other local businesses. Linda Bullock and Bill Davies did street collections, raising £2,256. Linda Larcombe raised £486 at the Co-op.
Local schools also participated with poppy boxes for education. Students had Remembrance lessons before Armistice Day. The Royal British Legion has thirty branches in the county, stretching from Lyme Regis to Gillingham. The legion has around 7,000 members overall.
It’s a major Armed Forces charity, giving care and support to past and present members. Their families also receive support.