Havant MP Alan Mak has been made Vice President of the Havant Branch of the Royal British Legion, following years of volunteering with the charity.
The MP volunteers every year with the Poppy Appeal, including selling poppies outside the Meridian Centre, and is the Founding Chairman and National President of the charity’s Young Professionals’ branch. Mak started the young professionals’ network to attract a new generation of supporters for the Legion.
As well as being made the Vice President of the branch, Mr Mak will be undertaking a Parliamentary visit to the Falkland Islands to pay tribute to servicemen killed during the conflict as part of its 35th anniversary.
He said: “As a longstanding Royal British Legion volunteer and Poppy Seller, it is a huge privilege to be made Vice President of the Havant Branch. The charity does excellent work all year round, providing vital care and support to our Armed Forces, veterans and military families.”
“I support the British Legion both in Havant and in Westminster as an MP and volunteer. This year will be a poignant moment as we look back on 35 years since the Falklands War. I know many people from the Havant area fought in the conflict so I will be visiting the Falklands to pay my respects to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for Britain’s security.”
Membership of the Royal British Legion is open to everyone and Havant branch secretary David Williams encouraged more people to get involved.
He said: “It was great that Alan has become Vice President of the branch and we look forward to working with him on future events. We are always looking for new members and we undertake a wide range of activities throughout the year. Legion membership ensures that Remembrance is kept alive and that the sacrifices our brave servicemen and women have made are never forgotten.”
The Royal British Legion provides financial, social and emotional care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces - past and present and their families.
The Havant Branch meets at 11.30am every third Thursday of each month at the Ex-Servicemens Club Brockhampton Lane.
To find out more visit britishlegion.org.uk or email [email protected].
Picture: Alan Mak MP and David Williams (far left), with members of the Havant branch of the Royal British Legion