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A gift of two commemorative silhouettes proved just the ticket for veterans marking the 100th anniversary of the Royal British Legion this week.

The wooden cut-outs were donated to the charity’s Redcar branch from the construction department at Redcar and Cleveland College.

For branch chairman Eric Howden BEM and his team, “It was an opportunity we couldn’t refuse,” he said.

The full-length cut-outs, created by the college’s joinery department as part of its Remembrance Day commemorations, will now be used as part of the legion’s own calendar of events.

And the timing couldn’t be better, with the Royal British Legion’s 100-year anniversary on Saturday (May 15th) and the Redcar branch due to mark its own centenary milestone this summer.

Eric, who has been a branch member for more than 30 years, said: “It is brilliant that the young people of the college express an interest in what we do and it shows they are involved in Remembrance.”

Originally formed as an amalgamation of four ex-service associations on May 15, 1921, Eric explained the then British Legion was created for the welfare of ex-service personnel and their families.

Within a couple of years there were 2,500 branches established.  With their work as important today as ever, he said: “We still have 2,500 branches but at one time we had 5,500.”

While the charity’s work has continued during the pandemic, events and fundraising have been hit hard, but with many people struggling they are expecting the demand on their services to increase.

“What I love about the Royal British Legion is that people get involved from all walks of life and every age group,” said Eric. “I would urge people to continue to support us and help in whatever way they can.”

Gary Keeys, Redcar and Cleveland College’s programme area leader for construction and engineering, said: “We were happy to be able to provide our local Royal British Legion branch with the cut-outs. It offers an opportunity for our young people to see how their actions can help others. The charity has such an important part to play in our community, it’s fantastic in a small way to be able to show our support and give something back.”

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