Below is a list of dates for your diary on what's happening in the Okehampton Branch of The Royal British Legion.
EVENT: THE RBL OKEHAMPTON MOORLAND TREK
Our Branch Chairman Darren Kelly and those wishing to join him, will have the aim of walking 38 miles across Dartmoor over the weekend of 2nd, 3rd and 4th June to raise funds for Okehampton Branch Royal British Legion (RBL).
The walk is in memory of Mark Murdoch, known to his friends as Mad Dog, our Branch standard bearer, who sadly passed away last December. Mark, an army veteran, worked tirelessly on behalf of the RBL.
Just before Mark died, he had spent time clearing the garden area behind the RBL, in Station Road, Okehampton, and created a memory tree/garden for people to place memorials on behalf of their loved ones who have passed away. How sad then, that Mark was to become the first name hung on that tree.
The walk will end at the Royal British Legion Club at 3 Station Road, Okehampton EX20 1DY, where there will be a reception and buffet.
If you might be interested in supporting this GoFundMe:
https://gofund.me/277ae233
Even a small donation could help Darren and Okehampton Branch RBL to reach their fundraising goal. If you can't donate, it would be great if you could share the fundraiser to help spread the word. Thanks for having a look!
We welcome the whole community to get involved including local businesses. At some point soon we will be canvassing to get support. In the interim, anyone wishing to know more or get involved should please email either:
Darren: Okehampton.chairman@rbl.community
or Joe: Okehampton.bcs@rbl.community
OTHER OKEHAMPTON ROYAL BRITISH LEGION (RBL) BRANCH NEWS:
LAUNCH OF ‘MEET AND GREET’ SESSIONS FOR LOCAL ARMED FORCES COMMUNITY WHO MAY NEED RBL SUPPORT.
Okehampton Branch of the RBL is pleased to announce that it is launching bi-weekly ‘meet and greet’ information sessions for people within our local armed forces community who may need guidance for accessing welfare support.
The first session is on Saturday 15th April 2023 between 9.00 am and 11.30 am, in the RBL at 3 Station Road, Okehampton EX20 1DY. Tea, coffee and a warm snack will be available.
Why is the Okehampton Branch community support team running these sessions?
There are individuals living in every community who may need RBL assistance. The RBL has a national network of Supporters who can meet those individual needs, providing a range of services and information to the Armed Forces community.
Regardless of the meet and greet sessions, anyone from the armed services community can go into RBL anytime when its open to ask for help.
Services the RBL provide nationally under this community support scheme are:
- Guidance to help find support.
- Telephone Buddy – For people living alone and struggling to get out and socialise, our volunteers can become someone they can talk to on a regular basis.
- Home and Hospital Visiting – Our volunteer visitors can offer a comradeship experience to people unable to meet others face to face, or for those that don’t have anyone to visit them.
- Bereavement Support – Our Branches provide Legion representation and Standard Bearer attendance at funerals to support those who have lost a loved one.
TEN TORS WEEKEND – 28th, 29th and 30th APRIL 2023:
Our RBL Branch organises community awareness events to raise awareness of the services the Legion provides – this year is no exception:
Okehampton Branch will be participating in the Ten Tors Engagement Village to raise awareness to our armed services community in the Okehampton area and to engage with youth organisations to help promote the Royal British Legion nationally and locally.
Please join us on Friday 28th April as this is the general visiting day. We welcome your support and would be happy to share this experience with us. However, we will be present at Okehampton Army Camp for the whole Ten Tors weekend if another time suits you better.
