Notts: Christmas spirit helps Royal British Legion support veterans

Staff at Nottinghamshire County Council’s waste management contractor Veolia, showed their charitable side at Christmas by buying and wrapping, presents for the Royal British Legion and Bevin Boys, the chairman of the council’s chosen charity.
Veolia staff with British Legion fund-raiser Elaine Hopkins (second left) and donated presentsVeolia staff with British Legion fund-raiser Elaine Hopkins (second left) and donated presents
Veolia staff with British Legion fund-raiser Elaine Hopkins (second left) and donated presents

The presents were part of Veolia’s Community Promise scheme.

This is a pledge from Veolia Nottinghamshire staff to be a force for good in the county.

As well as charitable work, staff promise to dedicate half a day per year to improve the lives and environments of local residents.

Elaine Hopkins, Nottinghamshire Community fund-raiser for The Royal British Legion said: ‘I would like to say a huge thank you to Veolia for their continued support of our charity.

“This allows us to help our serving and ex-service personnel in their time of need.

“Each year more people come to Legion for help and the cost of that help is continually increasing.

“Daily we see and read of young service men and women employed in peace keeping duties in many parts of the world, often in considerable danger.

“This means that there will always be a need to provide help for them and their dependants, when they themselves no longer can.

“That is why it is so important that the Legion can continue with its vital work.”

This year, the donated presents were given to older Veterans in recognition of the time that they served their country.

Lea Hawkes, general manager for Veolia, added: “We’re delighted to be able to continue our relationship with the Royal British Legion and Bevin Boys and spread some Christmas cheer.”

People can also help the Legion by supporting Veolia’s January Christmas Tree recycling campaign.

For every 50 tonnes of real Christmas trees and garden waste taken to the recycling centres this month, £100 will be donated to the Royal British Legion.

When the Christmas festivities are over, take your real tree to any of Nottinghamshire’s 12 recycling centres to be recycled and you too can help raise funds to support the work of the Royal British Legion.