To stop the Royal British Legion closing the 4 Break Centres across the UK and Handy van Service.

Comments

#1202

I feel the closure of such a facility would be a catastrophic mistake. So many depend on it. Please reconsider and keep this facility available open.

(Carrickfergus, 2019-11-22)

#1204

This is vital for the armed forces community.and provides help and support.

(Wigan, 2019-11-22)

#1208

This is an absolute disgrace, the poppy appeal raised over 50 million pound, more than last year. Who is benefiting from this? I was lucky to be able to go on a weeks break with my partner and it was just what we needed the same as many others. I’m disgusted at the way the RBL AND RBLI are treating our veterans, they are money grabbing fat cats, charging over £1000 pound to live in one room with shared facilities. DISGUSTING AND NOW THIS!!!

(Kent, 2019-11-22)

#1209

My father & his friend had a break at Somerset Legion House a good few years ago & it did both of them the world of good after their wives had died.
This is a purpose built place too.

(Weston-super-Mare, 2019-11-22)

#1210

I have friends who served and find this beneficial

(CANNOCK, 2019-11-22)

#1212

Respect for those who served and for their welfare and that of their families.
Sacrifice is under appreciated and seldom rewarded and suitable appreciated.
They stood up and were counted.
Now is our time to stand up and say thank you.

(Portrush, 2019-11-22)

#1214

They are an important attribute to the communities that they serve

(Stoke-on-Trent, 2019-11-22)

#1215

I support the poppy appeal whole heartily, but I know Bennett house in Portrush and feel I fills a great purpose to all who use this facility. I have chronic MS and understand how much these breaks mean! I have veterans in my family, one works for Bennett house, and they are very proud!

(Portrush, 2019-11-22)

#1217

These places are needed by our veterans and servicing forces. Too much is being taken away from military personnel.

(Weston super Mare, 2019-11-22)

#1218

I'm a. Veteran and have never used this service but know many who have and its been life saving

(Swansea, 2019-11-22)

#1220

I am a Veteran and know how important these centres are to help other Veterans get some much needed respite.

(Hale, 2019-11-22)

#1223

I go on these breaks with my son and we get a lot out of it. It’s so calming and helpful to both of us. And very informative. And I feel blessed to be able to go and really appreciate it. And I know all the veterans I have seen there feel the same .

(London, 2019-11-22)

#1225

Because its bang out of order they fought for us and that happens it's a joke of a country

(Southport, 2019-11-22)

#1226

Having used Poppy Break services myself I’ve seen firsthand the difference it makes to ex servicemen/women young, older or disabled. Many of whom won’t get a chance of a break for various reasons without the sterling work and opportunity’s of Poppy Break staff and facilities. Considering that you can only have one break every two years it’s not much to ask that this service remains unchanged for the benefit of all.

(Aylesford, 2019-11-22)

#1230

I want to

(Birmingham, 2019-11-22)

#1231

I used to work at byng house and saw alot of happy ex service personnel and their families enjoy this wonderful place,.. sometimes it was their saviour as some were very lonely and it gave them something to look forward too...
I think it's so sad that this will be taken away from. Them ..

(Alicante, 2019-11-22)

#1237

For all the veterans and serving military that need this

(Southport, 2019-11-22)

#1241

It's an absolute disgrace.

(Dublin, 2019-11-22)

#1244

I am a member & do not want people we help to be deprived of these centres.

(Chorley, 2019-11-22)

#1247

I’m signing because l believe that the RBL should be doing more to help ex-forces not closing centres that are badly needed. Instead of closing these why do reduce or stop all the fat cats pay that always seems to filter into their pockets first, when it should be used for what it was collected for which was definitely not to pay wages!

(Farnborough, 2019-11-22)

#1252

As an ex service man I understand the need for these facilities

(Golborne, 2019-11-22)

#1254

Disagree with closure if Respite Houses.

(Armagh, 2019-11-22)

#1255

Consecutive governments have always treated troubled Veterans with disdain. For the RBL to take away a valuable resource is playing g their game.

(Lincoln, 2019-11-22)

#1256

A vast amount of well deserving people will suffer as a consequence of this

(Exmouth, 2019-11-22)

#1258

We need these break centres to help anyone that served this country

(Southport, 2019-11-22)

#1261

It's the right thing to do.

(Manchester, 2019-11-22)

#1267

These places have been a God send to many lonely and vulnerable people for many years. The decision to close what have been around for decades is tantamount to a betrayal

(Burwash, 2019-11-22)

#1268

As a former employee of byng house I have first hand experience of how vital this service is and have seen the massive waiting list for people needing support
If byng house and the other brake centers were no longer available it would be of great concern to many as to were these veterans and army members would receive such support the sale of the Poppy should be going directly to the people who need it and not to those how have become managers in this company the veterans who have give there lived to serve us should be the only people to gain from the profits

(Southport, 2019-11-22)

#1269

We Veterans Need to be able to use these brilliant Facilitys.

(Münster, 2019-11-22)

#1270

It's an utter disgrace closing the 4 centres. Not enough of the money raised on an annual basis going to areas where its really needed. Shameful really.

(Bangor, 2019-11-22)

#1271

Please keep these vital services going. They are appreciated by those who use them and their family members. Its incredibly important for charities to support vulnerable people where there is lack of social provision.

(Northampton, 2019-11-22)

#1272

I am a veteran. Rtd QARANC. I have knowledge and experience of the troubles and issues that soldiers face coming out of the services. This is a backward step and the possibility of handing services to non service personnel who know nothing about the forces is heading for failure. Closing military hospitals is a prime example.

(Weston-Super-Mare, 2019-11-22)

#1275

There is a desperate need for these facilities, people need these breaks, there is no claim that they do not make people better, but they do give people something to look forward to, they are Break Centres and that is what they do best

(Weston super Mare, 2019-11-22)

#1276

Break centres provide an invaluable and unique resource for ex service personnel and their families. Staff welcome and provide amazing support for all - how can the RBL say these centres aren't valuable??

(Highbridge, 2019-11-22)

#1277

this is important to all our veterans its a disgrace that the rbl is even thinking of closing it

(tonypandy, 2019-11-22)

#1278

RBL have a duty of care to the living. They should prioritise that care over fancy theatre of remembrance.
Cut the senior salaries and staff before the front line.

(Bath, 2019-11-22)

#1279

I believe it is needed and should be kept open

(Newlyn Penzance, 2019-11-22)

#1280

This is an important issue

(Southport, 2019-11-22)

#1282

It’s a disgrace. I bet the fat cats are getting bigger!!

(Ormskirk Lancashire, 2019-11-22)

#1285

Mcolm Brammallal

(ELTON CHESTER, 2019-11-22)

#1290

I am a veteran who has benefited from stays at Somerset House.
Veteran’s are becoming less of a priority to the society of today.
More support and assistance in helping people who don’t work and are in the country both legally or illegal,
and others who make life style choices to bleed the benefits system.
Veterans now are being pushed under the radar and are being forgotten. 😡😡😡😡😡😡😡

(Bedford, 2019-11-22)

#1292

byng house is a vital and necessary asset to the people who have and do their utmost to serve and protect our country. none of these respite centres should be closed , they are much needed and many veterans look forward to a break at these centres that give them quality time they otherwise not be able to afford.

(Southport, 2019-11-22)

#1293

To help armed forces be able to take holidays for helping our country in fight for freedom.

(Southport, 2019-11-22)

#1294

These breaks mean the world to some families.

(Bristol, 2019-11-22)

#1295

Levels of service should be maintained

(Brighton, 2019-11-22)

#1298

This is a great service for people and their families that are or have been in the services

(Southport, 2019-11-22)

#1299

Ex-RN

(Ganzhou, 2019-11-22)

#1302

I am fast losing faith in the RBL, volunteers work all year to try and help the armed forces community but the very high earners want to close facilities to ensure they continue to get their very high salary.

(Westgate on Sea, 2019-11-22)

#1303

We need our break centres.

(Southport, 2019-11-22)

#1304

I believe that the legion should be doing more for its veterans and less for its savings.

(Ringwood, 2019-11-22)

#1305

I support our allies

(Fayetteville, 2019-11-22)

#1306

As a veteran, this needs to remain to help all service personnel.

(Wakefield, 2019-11-22)

#1307

This is a message that my friend sent when i told her :::::
Oh noooo we so loved our 5 day stay there
Was hoping to go again in 2yrs
Where will the vets go now??

(Merseyside, 2019-11-22)

#1308

We need our Vets to have an opportunity of respite.... We cannot keep taking opportunities to rebuild their lives off the table!
It is disgraceful that this has to happen to so many deserving lads and lasses

(Southport, 2019-11-22)

#1309

Our veterans and their families need help now more than ever. They get very little help from anywhere else.

(Cheshire, 2019-11-22)

#1310

I am a veteran of 22 years service. I contacted the RBL 2 days ago about this, they sent me a link to their strategy document which was not a very good read for a charity, not financially viable.

(Swadlincote,, 2019-11-22)

#1313

We need to keep these facilities open.

(South Shields, 2019-11-22)

#1315

These places should be kept open plus the Handy Van Service to be kept going for all our veterans.

(Chatteris Cambridgeshire, 2019-11-22)

#1318

I feel strongly that this valuable benefit is being stopped

(Abergele, 2019-11-22)

#1321

These places are needed

(Tideswell, 2019-11-22)

#1323

My family are all ex veterans and would like these facilities to stay.

(Preston, 2019-11-22)

#1325

I was on the waiting list for a break at Byng House and was looking forward to it. I am a NI Veteran and suffer from extensive pain throughout my body due to osteoarthritis and spondylitis. I am in constant pain which is only controlled by painkillers but not eliminated. Being in constant pain means I am prone to bouts of depression due to the pain and poor quality sleep. The Handy Van service is invaluable for disabled veterans like me who are unable to do any diy around the house. I'm a member of the Royal British Legion and I also support them with £10 per month. This year I have sold poppies for my local branch, Royton. Why has there been no consultation via the branches and membership and people who give via direct debit?

(OLDHAM, 2019-11-22)

#1326

I am & signing because I think it is unforgivable to shut down a much needed facility. When there is nothing to take its place. The work it has done to help in the past, who will do that now. I hope you are ready for the fallout.

(Fleury, 2019-11-22)

#1327

These places provide essential support for the people visiting, people that have served our country and deserve a place to meet others and have a lifeline...
Its disgusting taking this away from those that really need it...

(Exmouth, 2019-11-22)

#1328

I am signing this because I am an ex serviceman and I believe that the British Legion can only survive because of the kind donations from the general public. These donations are supposed to be used to make life easier for service and ex service personnel, not to make the top bosses of the British Legion into rich people, have we seen anywhere where the CEO is willing to take a pay cut or do his job voluntarily?

(Manchester, 2019-11-22)

#1332

Ex serving soldier, don’t feel we do enough to help all the men and women who have served Queen & Contry

(Inverness, 2019-11-22)

#1337

Live and jobs depend on this place

(Southport, 2019-11-22)

#1339

Unconsciable decision. These facilities are badly needed not more Call Centre orientated caseworkers, working from PC scripts, who find it difficult to empathise with veterans due to a lack of knowledge and/or experience.

(Macclesfield, 2019-11-22)

#1343

We need places lime these

(Birmingham, 2019-11-22)

#1344

This is about the care of ex service personnel and not about the fat cats looking after themselves

(Omagh, 2019-11-22)

#1353

Our veterans do not get enough support from our government so please please don’t close down any of your supporting facilities.
It would be a disgrace and insult to all of our veterans 😡

(Hull, 2019-11-22)

#1360

Having stayed at one a few times I believe they are a very vital part of the charities welfare system.

(Chatham, 2019-11-22)

#1365

This is what our service personnel deserve

(Tarleton, 2019-11-22)

#1366

I am outraged that this is happening, men and women young and old who served our country are being forgotten whilst fat cat CEOs are lining their pockets of the goodwill of veterans

(Exminster, 2019-11-22)

#1370

I'm a veteran

(Aldershot, 2019-11-22)

#1371

As a SSAFA caseworker I see the difference these places make to a veteran and their families

(Solihull, 2019-11-22)

#1373

These home are needed to help to support our veterans

(Sheffield, 2019-11-22)

#1375

The RBL is sitting on millions of donated money. This was given by the public to aid veterans, NOT pay exhorbinate wages to the HQ people.

(Bacup, 2019-11-22)

#1379

This should not be happening at all. They gave their life to protect and serve and this is how they get repaid. 😕

(Aberdeen, 2019-11-22)

#1380

I’m a veteran I think it’s a good service and is vital I’ve used other services that RBL provides and they have helped me

(Newport, 2019-11-22)

#1383

As a Legion member I don’t think this should be happening

(Rugby, 2019-11-22)

#1386

The RBL have completely lost touch with the grass roots members.
Ridiculous decision

(March, 2019-11-22)

#1390

These centres are a centre piece of the legions work and they are needed for that quiet little get away for veterans!

(Weston super mare, 2019-11-22)

#1393

We would be lost without with nothing to look forward to

(Salford, 2019-11-22)

#1399

Bennett House is so well appreciated by any friends and family I know who have used it.

(Carrickfergus, 2019-11-22)

#1400

My terminally ill father got so much upliftment from byng
Who will look after the Balkan Somalia gulf war one Falklands northern Ireland vets

(Southport, 2019-11-22)