British Legion

HiMay

Could experienced retired people on good pensions run charities voluntarily? Then no high salaries would be necessary and all donations could actually go to those in need.

Many wouldn't want to. There is an argument that you are not paying for them running a charity, you are paying for their experience, qualifications, etc. I don't have a problem with that if when things went wrong the buck stopped with them because of their big salaries. However, they often get moved on with a huge payout. That gets me mad.

It isn't just the big boys though, if you look at the way "expenses" are paid to some of the collectors in these charities, it is incredible. Years ago, my uncle worked collecting for a kidney research charity. He was horrified at how much his colleagues were claiming on their expenses. He stopped giving money to them.

HiMay

Could experienced retired people on good pensions run charities voluntarily? Then no high salaries would be necessary and all donations could actually go to those in need.

Do you know how many volunteers keep the charity sectors of this country going?

How many retired people, some in their 80s and 90s, are out from now until 11th November, selling poppies?
Finding younger retired people to volunteer is nigh on impossible in some areas.

The charities need people at HQ to run them who are qualified and experienced - running a large charity is like running a business.

It isn't just the big boys though, if you look at the way "expenses" are paid to some of the collectors in these charities, it is incredible

These people you are talking about are not the ordinary collectors.

Some large charities employ young people nicknamed 'chuggers' to try to get members of the public to sign up to regular donations and that is not the same thing at all. Best avoided imo.

Give or don't give - it's up to you.

But spreading misinformation on social media just before Remembrance Day is unpleasant to say the least.

Despite my reservations about the British Legion - I still support them .

I'm appalled that apparently, after believing differently all these years, only heterosexual people have been represented by the red poppy! I was always of the understanding that the red poppy represented ALL the fallen, whatever their personal circumstances. For me this is still the case and although I shall not be buying a poppy this year, I shall wear my poppy brooch with pride for my father, killed in 1942, my second cousin who died of wounds in 1945 , my stepfather who was a POW in the Far East for four years, and my Grandfather gassed and shell shocked in WW1 + ALL others at home and throughout the Commonwealth who were affected by war. Politicising and prioritising this emblem for me is shocking and deeply hurtful. The RBL will won't get anymore money from me or my family.

I'm appalled that apparently, after believing differently all these years, only heterosexual people have been represented by the red poppy!
That is not true

I was always of the understanding that the red poppy represented ALL the fallen, whatever their personal circumstances
Yes it did

So why is it now being selective?

Pressure fro certain groups, probably.
Fear of appearing incorrect or excluding people

It happens everywhere.

The RBL does not pay money to Stonewall! It's a myth. See below for proof from RBL directly

Got my information from a long term key volunteer who lives on the Kent coast.

Firstly, she reports on a query to the RBL Facebook on this rumour, the answer from RBL was

"Royal British Legion
Hi Rob - We do not pay money to Stonewall.

The Head of Diversity and Inclusion role, introduced in 2021, provides expertise in accessibility across every element of the charity’s work, which is especially important given the high levels of disability in our beneficiary community including hearing and sight loss and physical and mental injury.

The role further provides guidance on the barriers that certain groups face so that we can ensure the services and Remembrance activity we deliver, the partnerships we forge, and the way we support beneficiaries is fully inclusive of those we represent.

The RBL’s red poppy is and will remain a universal symbol of Remembrance and it represents all those who have served and sacrificed in the British Armed Forces.

The Poppy Pride Badge was introduced in June to mark both Armed Forces Week and Pride Month in 2024. It is particularly important when you’re aware of the pre-2000 ban on LGBT personnel in the British Armed Forces and the discrimination those individuals experienced, which severely impacted their lives.

The Poppy Pride Badge is one of hundreds of poppy pins combined with symbols available on our Poppy Shop, others include the poppy bin alongside different regiments, and sports clubs for example

There are no rainbow poppies for general distribution, just a brooch for sale on the RBL website. (and no flags!)

My (totally non political) friend also contacted RBL herself directly because of her wn concerns as being in charge of her local area and got this answer

"From RBL X:

We can confirm we are not members of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions Scheme. We don't give money to Stonewall - your donation helps us provide vital support to serving and ex-serving personnel and their families

11:22 AM · Oct 26, 2024

The damage that rumours can do 😡

To the question, yes we purchase poppies.

Only the top 31 salaries are a bit too much, in my opinion. In other words - the bottom rung (32 salaries) seems fine.

Thanks Wyllow3

I certainly hadn't heard of or seen any rainbow poppies or other such items on general sale this year.

There was no ban during war time, that question was not asked on call up papers for obvious reasons. The ban there was was rightly rectified 24 years ago, so why is it now, suddenly an issue. My Uncle who was Gay, did his National Service without any problems at all. He just didn't mention it, simple as that.

Well......

I'd firstly say - that older people who were in the armed forces before 2000 supported now may still be affected by their experiences and getting help from RBL - and reading reports, some experiences were very bad indeed.

Secondly, we cant assume it's plain sailing currently?

I also don't think gay people in the army are suddenly "making an issue"

It was RBL quietly decided on having a badge for sale,

- and its the critics making much of it? And spreading falsehoods?

I've been doing unpaid charity work for about 30 years .
And it galls me that the CEO of the British Legion , Ian Townsend earns
£95,000 per annum .
There are conflicting reports about the salary of the Head of Diversity salary is not clear, but the job description sounds like a lot of nonsense to me .
It isn't just the RBL earning and wasting money it is many other charities as well .
I don't dispute that they do valuable work and I've supported them this year .

And it galls me that the CEO of the British Legion , Ian Townsend earns £95,000 per annum .

Goodness, I'm surprised.

That is far less than many CEOs of charities earn. Several earn towards £200,000 pa.
That is about average for the charity sector, I would think.

Then they earn too much .

I have been informed that the salaries of Royal British Legion officials are not paid from the Poppy Appeal donations.

The RBL receives funds from other sources which includes the £millions from subscriptions of its many loyl members.

Let's hope this puts these rumours to rest.

I wonder if those who have not bothered to buy a poppy this year are watching the moving Festival of Rememrance?
Probably not.

By the way, glammagran, just for reference, it is the Royal British Legion.

Paperbackwriter

I wear a white poppy for peace. Something much needed now. You can get them from the Peace Pledge Union. I'm not contributing to an organisation that's paying out to Stonewall.

I 💯 agree. Giving my tenner to “help for heroes” plus some money to a homeless ex-soldier, who never begs, but sits all day under the trees in the park- I’ve seen people giving him hot meals & drinks.

I hope this thread doesn’t put people off donating to other charities. DD works for a small/medium sized charity and earns half what her cousin earns for the same job in the private sector. She’s basically earning the same as she was earning 12 years ago in the private sector and with no perks. They all work there because they want to feel they are helping people and what they do is important. DD even takes part in fundraising activities for the charity.

Every penny from poppy donations is ring fenced for welfare use only. Wages, administration, etc are funded by membership fees, and other sources.
Running a large charity is a huge responsibility.
The salaries you quote are not excessive, staff are chosen for their ability, experience etc and need to earn a living. Highly paid, skilful CEOs, for example, can bring in more money for their charities. The old adage, 'If you pay peanuts you get monkeys' springs to mind.
Most charity workers could earn more for the same skills in big business.

I agree with Nano14 this isn’t a kitchen table charity it deals with £’s millions.

Those at the top have the responsibility of ensuring everything is above board, procuring and organising products, development and design.

I have purchased my poppy as per normal, along with my Christmas cards from them this year.

Watched the Festival of Remembrance Concert last night also the Cenotaph ceremony this morning.

We must never forget 🌺

RBL, Help the Heroes and other charities do good work but I think the USA is far more advanced in caring for ex-military people than the UK. Why do we not have a government funded organisation like the Veterans' Administration?