A MEMBER of the Bodelwyddan Royal British Legion (RBL) branch has been presented with a special poppy to honour her years of service.
Carolann Cathery, 80, received the poppy at a special RBL event at the Ty Fry Inn in Bodelwyddan on Thursday (October 22) to mark the launch of the 2026 Poppy Appeal.
Mrs Cathery, who is originally from Kent but now lives in Holywell, is a branch community support co-ordinator for the RBL in North Wales, and with the poppy by Amber Donaldson, who is currently serving with the Navy.
She regularly makes telephone calls and home visits to ex-Armed Forces members in North Wales who may be feeling lonely.
“Particularly at this time of year, when the clocks go back, there’s a lot of darkness for a lot of people, so just a telephone call can help them,” Mrs Cathery said.
“I always ask new clients on the phone if there is any extra help that they need, and if they’re having any problems with things like pensions, so that the RBL can help them.
“At the moment, I’m visiting three people and telephoning five. Sometimes I telephone weekly, sometimes monthly. it matters a lot to me. It’s just about helping people.
“I think as you get older, you realise there are a lot of people who are quite vulnerable, and invisible. All you need to do is give them a smile, or say: ‘good morning’ to them.”
Mrs Cathery was joined at Thursday’s event by her husband, Alan, who served in the British Army with the Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment), and who she met in Borneo in the early 1970s.
While living in Tokyo, she joined a branch of the RBL, and volunteered to fundraise for the Poppy Appeal.
She expressed her gratitude for the "beautiful" poppy she was presented with, which was one of only five awarded across the UK on the Poppy Appeal launch day.
Mrs Cathery added: “Today means a lot to me. Only five people are being awarded one today, and I’m one of them. That feels incredible.
“I’ve done this for the Bodelwyddan branch for about 8m now; they’re an incredible branch. I don’t do it for reward, but it’s lovely to get this. I’m lucky.”
Also in attendance at Thursday’s event was 87-year-old Jacqueline Smith, from Hawarden, who is one of the recipients of Mrs Cathery’s support through regular phone calls.
Mrs Smith lives alone following the death of her husband, Brian, who was in the Royal Army Physical Training Corps.
Mrs Cathery also presented Mrs Smith with a bouquet of flowers on Thursday.
She said: “Carolann rings me from time to time and we have a chat for about half an hour. It’s nice when you’re on your own all day, because it breaks the day up. I find it very therapeutic.
“We took about all sorts of things; we put the world to rights!
“This is the first time I’ve met her, though, so it’s very nice to put a face to her now.”
The RBL supports about 8,000 members of the Armed Forces community with advice and practical support, and is backed by approximately 50,000 collectors and volunteers.
Last year, the RBL supported more than 20,000 households across 65 countries, securing more than £25million in compensation or benefits for veterans and awarding in excess of £9m in grants to Armed Forces families to help with accommodation, food, clothing and essentials.
Lucy Inskip, director of the RBL’s Poppy Appeal, said: “The Poppy Appeal brings the nation together and helps us raise vital funds needed to support the Armed Forces community.
“This year, we’re proud to be highlighting that when someone serves, their family serves too, recognising the families behind those who serve and the unique sacrifices they make.
“We want to encourage the public to go out and show their support for the appeal this year.
“From short-term relief to lifelong support, your donation enables the RBL to help the Armed Forces and their families, whatever the need, whenever it’s needed.”
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