Is it the Last Post for Lymm Royal British Legion?

LYMM branch of the Royal British Legion is facing a crisis following a drastic decline in the number of members.
The branch, which once had more than 1,000 members now has only 50 – and virtually no volunteers to sell poppies.
It has no secretary and no treasurer and urgently needs committee members.
President Tony Bone said: “If we don’t get more members and, crucially, people prepared to serve on the committee, the branch is likely to close. Once it closes it won’t re-open again.”
Last year, a handful of volunteers managed to raise between £5,000 and £6,000 with poppy sales – less than half the amount usually raised.
Mr Bone said: “Membership has plummeted since the Royal British Legion Club closed.
“Things were difficult before – that was why the club had to close. But they have got a lot worse since.
“I think a lot of the trouble is that people think that when the club closed, the Legion ceased to exist in Lymm.  But the club and the branch was entirely different organisations.
“There is also the fact that many people believe you have to have been in the forces to be a member. This is not the case – anyone can join.
“The committee is the engine room of the branch, so we urgently need people willing to join the committee.
“Then we need volunteers for Poppy Day because the Legion needs the money raised through poppy sales to carry on the work it does helping our serving and ex-service community.
“No matter where or when they served or what they need, we are here to support them and their families – but the way things are going we don’t be in Lymm much longer.”
Every year, The Royal British Legion assists beneficiaries with a range of issues, ranging from immediate needs grants to war pensions advice, from providing family and respite breaks to helping with small home repairs.
All over the country, people are baking cakes, shaving heads, parachuting, trekking, cycling, running and much, much more to raise money for the armed forces and their dependents.
But there is still so much that needs to be done.
Mr Bone added: “Do the people of Lymm really want the Last Post to sound for the Lymm branch?”
Anyone who wants to help the branch can contact chairman John Walker at [email protected] or on 01925 820744 or Tony Bone at a336bone @btinternet.com or on 01925 753924.