In order to raise money for the Royal British Legion, an Oldham councillor ran his own race for the 2021 Poppy Appeal and is appealing for more donations.

Staging an individual Poppy Run in Saddleworth on an October weekend, Councillor Max Woodvine ran 51 kilometres over three days which totalled 71,544 steps and was equivalent to 501 metres of elevation gain.

For 100 years, the Royal British Legion - the biggest Armed Forces charity in the country - has been fighting for the Armed Forces community and has worked tirelessly to ensure that those who have made sacrifices for us are being looked after, no matter what challenges the country faces.

They are always helping those who are isolated from family, facing homelessness, struggling to feed their children and are in financial crisis.

Saddleworth South’s Cllr Max Woodvine (pictured), who is also the Leader of the Conservatives on the Parish Council, said: “Over 90,000 people, with life changing or life limiting situations, turn to the Royal British Legion for help every year so I did this to fundraise for those in the Armed Forces community.”

He continued: “Veterans can feel isolated and alone but they deserve to lead dignified and fulfilled lives which the Legion helps them to do. It also provides vital support to serving personnel when they leave the Armed Forces and decide to return to the civilian lifestyle, which can be difficult and daunting.”

This last year more than ever that support has been needed to help the most vulnerable in our society, be it older veterans that we care for, those who suffer from social isolation, or those who are simple overwhelmed by the challenge associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.

You can help Cllr Woodvine to support the Royal British Legion in helping our Armed Forces community by making a donation here: https://mypoppyrun.britishlegion.org.uk/fundraising/MyPoppyRun2021-MaxWoodvine 

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