Royal British Legion Women's Section
For ninety years The Women’s Section of the Royal British Legion
has provided support to the wives, widows, children and dependants
of our service and ex service personnel. Although working to the
same aims as the Royal British Legion and governed by the same
Royal Charter. We receive no income from them and rely on the
fundraising efforts of our members, (numbering 45,000) and
supporters, to continue our valuable work which is needed as much
today as it was in 1921. However, the Women’s Section supports the
Royal British Legion whenever possible, but particularly during the
Poppy Appeal campaign and at ceremonial occasions.
Help is needed to purchase school uniforms or with
extra curricular activities such as music or gymnastics. An
allowance may be given to an elderly person living alone and in
financial need; a Birthday card and small gift may be sent. The
scheme may be able to send a Christmas card and small supplement to
give a little festive cheer. We may be able to arrange a break,
post hospitalization or bereavement. Educational grants and
scholarships are available through our Presidents Award scheme.
All of the welfare work is undertaken by the Women’s Section and
is carried out in the strictest confidence. We encourage anyone who
meets our qualifying criteria to apply to us if they need help.
Locally, the Peterborough branch of the Women’s Section meets on
the last Thursday of each month (excluding December) at the East
Community Centre off Padholme Road. We are only a small group but
are very active. Some of our fundraising efforts in the last year
were a Christmas Fair, car boot sales, coffee mornings and a bag
pack at a local supermarket. At our meetings we deal with any
business matters and then sometimes have an invited
speaker/demonstrator or we may have a quiz or competition between
ourselves. Visitors are always welcome to our meetings.
As a group, we are always striving to better our achievements
and hope that this 90th anniversary year will bring us more
success.
Further information about the Royal British Legion Women’s
Section can be found at: http://www.womensbritishlegion.org.uk/
Find a cure for Alex - Kidney Research UK
Kidney Research UK based in Peterborough celebrates their 50th
anniversary this year and has launched the appeal to find a cure
for Alex. Alex, aged eight from Werrington, Peterborough,
looks like any other outgoing, fun child, but he is suffering with
MGPN Type II, a rare kidney disease.
Alex was first diagnosed with the disease at just four-years of
age and now must take medication on a daily basis. His parents also
have to give him a weekly injection, something which Alex finds
very difficult and upsetting. Alex is hooked up to a dialysis
machine each night for 10 hours at a time. The emotional strain on
Alex and his family is immense. An alarm signals to mum Julie if
Alex rolls onto the tubes, which can stop the fluid getting in and
out of his body. Sometimes this can be seven or eight times a
night.
The catheter in Alex’s abdomen is a constant reminder of how
different he is from his friends and the way it affects almost
every area of his life. He cannot eat all the same foods as his
friends and is only allowed 800mls of fluid a day. Until
further research breakthroughs are made, Alex faces a life attached
to a dialysis machine.
If Alex was successful in receiving a new kidney through
transplant this may only last for 18 months as this disease will
come back and attack the new kidney. His parents have therefore
made the difficult decision not to put him on the transplant list,
in the hope of news of a cure so that a new kidney will last
longer.
This year, with the help of the Mayor, we hope to raise
awareness of the continued suffering of Alex and of this very rare
kidney disease. Please visit our fundraising site at: www.kidneyresearchuk.org/findacureforalex.