DELYN’s MP - David Hanson - recently met with regional representatives of the Royal British Legion at an event in Parliament to discuss support for the Armed Forces community in Wales.

Antony Metcalfe the Legion’s area manager for Wales, said: “I was delighted to see David and we were grateful that he took the time to drop in. The Royal British Legion offers a range of welfare support all year round, to the whole Armed Forces community past and present.

“This event offered a great opportunity for us to spread the word about the range of services that we provide in Wales and for David to hear first-hand from a number for people who we’ve helped how we have supported them since they left the Forces. I look forward to working with David in the future to ensure the needs of our Armed Forces community are reflected in policies at all levels in Wales and the UK.”

The Legion is the nation's biggest Armed Forces charity providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families.

From October 2017 to September 2018 the Legion in Wales; the Legion provided over £460,000 in grants to support members of the Armed Forces community and engaged with 9,100 people directly via its high street Pop in centres and community outreach.

The Legion’s own handy van service also completed 2,247 jobs across Wales, helping people in their own homes to live independently and with the support they require.

David Hanson MP said: “It was a pleasure to meet with The Royal British Legion in Parliament and to support them in their vital work they do for our veterans. We must ensure that those who are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for our safety and security are cared for when they leave the Armed Forces. Charities, like The Royal British Legion, are key to providing support and services to our veterans.

“The UK Government needs to take a more active role in defending the rights and interests of our veterans. Only this week we learnt that the veteran’s charity SAPPHA found that only 16% of veterans believe the Armed Forces Covenant is being delivered properly.

“It shouldn’t be for charities alone to close this gap and the UK Government should be doing much more.”

In addition to this welfare work, the Legion champions Remembrance and safeguards the Military Covenant between the nation and its Armed Forces and is well known for the annual Poppy Appeal, and its emblem the red poppy.