Filton and Bradley Stoke MP Jack Lopresti is to once again run the Bristol Half Marathon this Sunday (11th September), to raise money for the Royal British Legion (RBL), Stoke Gifford Branch, Poppy Appeal.
The Royal British Legion is the country’s largest welfare charity. It spends £1.4 million every week supporting current and ex-servicemen and their families.
The Poppy Appeal, which actually runs all year, round helps to fund this welfare work.
Mr Lopresti said:
“I have once again been pounding the streets of Filton and Bradley Stoke over recent weeks as part of my final preparations before taking part in the Bristol Half Marathon”
“I will be running this year to raise money for the Stoke Gifford Branch of the Royal British Legion of which I am proud to be a member. As I’m sure you are aware The Royal British Legion provides welfare to the whole Armed Forces family – serving, ex-Service and their dependants.”
“We also campaign on a range of issues affecting Service people, we are the custodian of Remembrance, run the annual Poppy Appeal and are one of the UK’s largest membership organisations, which this year celebrates its 90th Anniversary.”
“The work that the Stoke Gifford Branch does for veterans and their families locally is really crucial and I find the hard work of all the members truly inspirational.”
“If you can give just a small donation towards the fundraising effort for the Legion, every penny really does count and the more we can raise the better.”
“To sponsor me and support the Royal British Legion, let me know by return and when I have completed the half marathon, I will let you know and cheques can be made payable to The Royal British Legion, Stoke Gifford Branch.”
Brian Hewitt MBE, Chairman, Stoke Gifford Branch RBL said:
“I am very pleased and proud that Jack Lopresti, a serving member of our branch and our local MP, is running the Bristol Half Marathon, to raise funds to support Stoke Gifford’s Poppy Appeal effort.”
“To date we have raised a record £30,200 (over £6,000 up on 2009/10), in this the RBL’s 90th. year.”
Local British Legion branch seeks volunteer collectors in October and November
The Stoke Gifford Branch of The Royal British Legion collects in local supermarkets and Bristol Parkway Station in October and November. It needs many volunteer collectors to man this and is always on the lookout for new recruits.
If you are interested in helping with the collection please contact: Terry Webber on 0117 9091486.
The Stoke Gifford Branch of the RBL covers Stoke Gifford, Filton, Little Stoke, and Bradley Stoke.
Anyone can join the Royal British Legion. If you are interested in joining, please contact the Branch Chairman, Brian Hewitt on 01454 775632.
Good Luck to Mr Lopresti for a worthwhile cause.
Could someone lend him a nicer running shirt than brown!!
Rob, I think this picture was taken at the Bradley Stoke 10K run, so hopefully he’s seen the photo before and will have changed his shirt this time!!
Looks like ex MOD to me!!
David Bell, Publicity Officer of the British Legion Stoke Gifford Branch, reports that Jack Lopresti MP completed the half marathon in 1 hour and 57 minutes.
David added: “Well done to Jack, one of the Stoke Gifford Branch’s serving members, this is a welcome boost to the Poppy Appeal. The Appeal runs all year round and so far in the current appeal, which ends in a few weeks, the Stoke Gifford Branch has raised a Branch record of £30,000.”
People who want to add to Jack’s sponsorship total can do so by contacting Mr Lopresti via his website.