Women honoured for 50 years with Poppy Appeal

TWO women who volunteer for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal have received long service awards.

Marion Pope and Di Bush have been involved have been collecting in Wargrave and Crazies Hill for more than 50 years.

They received a 50-year service badge and certificate at a coffee morning in Crazies Hill.

Mrs Pope was also presented with the Poppy Appeal Cup at the legion’s annual dinner by her son Lieutenant General Sir Nick Pope, who was also the guest speaker. Ten appeal volunteers were also commended for their efforts.

Mrs Pope, of East View Road, is also a parish councillor and has lived in Wargrave for nearly 60 years.

Born in Somerset, she moved to Charvil when she was seven and then to Wargrave at 14.

Mrs Pope said: “Years ago, my mother used to do it and she was the first one to win the cup that was presented in Wargrave and I started helping her. It’s lovely meeting people, particularly older people.”

Mrs Pope said she felt “greatly honoured” to receive the award. She said: “I feel volunteering has helped my sons because they both retired from the army now.”

Mrs Bush said: “I am passionate about going out for as long as I can because I feel I’m doing something [useful].

“The other reason why I do it is to say thank you to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives for us so we have our freedom.”

Poppy appealer organiser Linda Thomas said: “It was lovely to be able to recognise their contribution at the poppy appeal organiser over the number of years that they’ve been involved.

“It’s the longevity that after 50 years, they are still wanting to raise money for the British Legion in their local community and thoroughly enjoying it.”