February 5, 2008

Dear Sir,

The Royal British Legion feels it should respond to the letter written to the Editor by a representative of the Bermuda War Veterans Association (BWVA) on January 31.

The 2007 Bermuda Poppy Appeal was collected transparently and successfully with the valuable assistance of dedicated volunteers, and kind members of the Bermuda public, who we would like to thank for their support.

All money raised in Bermuda will remain in Bermuda for Bermudian veterans. In addition, the Legion will top up this money from the United Kingdom, to make sure that sufficient funds get to those veterans who are genuinely in need.

In 2006, having examined the charter of the BWVA, the Legion decided that it was no longer appropriate for the Association to be involved in the Legion's Poppy Appeal in Bermuda.

The BWVA charter, which is publicly available, applies restrictive criteria to the Bermuda ex-Service community. This is in conflict with the aims and objectives of the Royal British Legion, as set out in its Royal Charter.

At that time we also asked the BWVA not to employ Legion poppies in its own fundraising activity. The BWVA appear to have ignored that request in 2006 and 2007.

Ms Everson is an accredited Poppy Appeal Organiser and a trained case worker, who has ensured that the money raised by the Poppy Appeal has been collected transparently and efficiently, and will be dispersed appropriately to beneficiaries.

Poppies should not be sold. They are given to supporters, in exchange for a voluntary donation to our cause, which is the support and commemoration of all serving, and ex-Service men and women, from all backgrounds.

Why would the Veterans Association not be pleased that we were offering to help a wider range of veterans than had previously been able to apply for support and assistance?

We hope that Bermudians will continue to remember the sacrifices made by veterans in the past, and will not be put off by these discussions, which have been forced into the public arena by the BWVA.

We can reassure Bermudians that, while these discussions continue, The Royal British Legion will ensure that help and support will be provided to any veteran in need. Indeed I intend to visit Bermuda in the near future to attempt to meet with the BWVA, and resolve this situation.

PETER HENDERSON

Director of Membership & Regions

The Royal British Legion