To stop the Royal British Legion closing the 4 Break Centres across the UK and Handy van Service.
Comments
#402
RBL have millions in the bank and can well afford to maintain these properties for our veterans.Ciaran Gorman (Bangor, 2019-11-21)
#403
It’s just wrongMandy Patterson (Randalstown, 2019-11-21)
#405
I'm signing this petition because I myself am a veteran and I am also a member of staff at Bennet House. I believe the work we do there and the service we provide to the armed forces covenant is vital especially within the Northern Ireland community. A break can give someone a safe sanctuary to meet like minded people who have got common ground and can provide those who normally live in social isolation a chance to socialise and open up and talk about things they normally wouldn't discuss with non military people.Charlene McGonigle (Londonderry, 2019-11-21)
#407
The Poppy break houses are a valuable resource helping mant ex-service personnel in need.Ken Henderson (West Yorkshire, 2019-11-21)
#408
This home needs to be kept open for ex service people they have nowhere elseLaurraine Gardiner (Belfast , 2019-11-21)
#409
I am disgusted that the RBL has mad this decision and as a poppy collector for over 25 years. I will not be doing it again as I feel the RBL are neglecting the needs of NI veterans to have a safe place to have a respite break.Joanna Boyd MBE (Londonderry, 2019-11-21)
#412
I am suffering from cancer and would have like to have used Benithouse in the new year for some restbit. I am x UDR and RIR. This is a mad thing to do when so many men and women give the best years of there lives to there Country.Brian Maclaine (Omagh, 2019-11-21)
#415
This is the only break centre for veterans and their families in Northern Ireland and will be a huge loss to the wider community. It will be shameful if the Royal British Legion allow this to close. The staff who work there give 100% and help out with other local projects whilst promoting Bennet House.Linda Rankin (Ballymoney , 2019-11-21)
#419
They have £300M in the bank.Use it!!!DANIEL DONOVAN (Glenrothes, 2019-11-21)
#420
These holidays are the first ex service personnel have gone on in yearsSamantha Husband (Leeds, 2019-11-21)
#421
It’s the right thing to do. I spent many happy days at Bennet House in Portrush and believe me it was a lot better than most hotels. The company was good and the food was great. It would be an absolute disgrace to deprive forces and families of this break.Colum Doherty (Ballymena, 2019-11-21)
#426
I'm signing because veterans need places with military background for care and restbite.Peter Irw (Belfast , 2019-11-21)
#432
I support the poppy appeal and raised over £1000 this year,I would like to see my effort support VeteransStephen Donoghue (Liverpool , 2019-11-21)
#439
I’m singing this petition because the Ex Service community require this service, and the RBL should know that they can’t expect local authorities to care for the Ex Service man/woman if they don’t care by shutting these respite areas.Ivan Beatty (Abergavenny, 2019-11-21)
#440
It's the only place in NI and surley with the money collected in NI it's least we deserveGeorge Wright (Carrickfergus, 2019-11-21)
#442
Because as a member and having used the facilities I believe they are essential for the wellbeing for those who are lucky to qualify for the breaks. The Poppy appeal fund is not that short of cash that we need to sell off such important assets. Put vets in charge not money grabbing civvies.Keith Yeates (Gosport, 2019-11-21)
#444
I care.Jed Wright (Portrush , 2019-11-21)
#447
I’m signing this because being a staff member at byng house (Southport) this news about closure has deeply upset and affected myself, my work family and all the lovely and amazing veterans and beneficiaries that we continue to take care of at byng. We are heartbroken to hear this news.Mikena Mann (Southport, 2019-11-21)
#453
respite is needed by so many veterans closing them would be wrong, Sorry RBLEric Smith (Manchester, 2019-11-21)
#458
This is a service that is exceptional for our ex service personal and is greatly appreciated therefor it is the only place we can get in n. Ireland the service at Bennett House is 100% and the staff is very friendlyMatthew Neely (Donegal, 2019-11-21)
#461
I’m the executive chef at Bennet House. And for RBL to even consider closing the door of our break centres is ridiculous. During My time here I have had a lot of one to one conversations with our guests and hearing their stories really opens you eyes to what we do for them. The support and time we offer them is next to none. And for us not being able to offer this support again is heartbreaking for all involved. It offers a safe environment for veterans, reduces social isolation and promotes positive mental health. Taking this away is going against what RBL stands forDean Fletcher (Coleraine, 2019-11-21)
#464
I think you are disgusting to do this to all the vets out there. No more tin rattling for meLeslie Robinson (Doncaster, 2019-11-21)
#467
It’s important that ex veterans in Northern Ireland have a place to go and relax without the extra pressure of travelling too far. There is only one place in the province and those ex servicemen and woman have paid not only in service but cost to keep a place like Bennet aHouse open.Serena Hamilton (COOKSTOWN , 2019-11-21)
#472
Without these places of respite our veterans have nowhere to go to feel safe and wanted. We constantly give money into the RBL poppy appeal, without question, and this is how we are treated! Shame on you all!Paul Rochester (Londonderry , 2019-11-21)
#473
I’m signing this because it’s the right thing todoIan Tiley (Salisbury , 2019-11-21)
#475
Those who serve should be given a break at the very least. Veterans always seem to end up with a raw deal and they give up their lives for our country.Laura Fletcher (Portrush, 2019-11-21)
#477
Theses facilities serve a useful purpose for veterans, preventing loneliness, social isolation and support for the military veterans and their partners to continue to live in the community. Shame on the hierarchy to even think of it without asking members.Hilda Jack (Sheffield, 2019-11-21)
#478
I want this place to remain open for veterans who need it.Paul Elliott (Belfast, 2019-11-21)
#481
These poppy breaks help me and my kids after the loss of my husband and their daddy at such a young ageTammy Smith (Belfast, 2019-11-21)
#482
You should be ashamed, there our veterans, close something elseGarry Rhodes (Warrington , 2019-11-21)
#483
R . CampbellRaymond Campbell (Belfast , 2019-11-21)
#485
We need to care for those who fought for us. These homes are needed.Margaret Curry (Dundonald, Co Down , 2019-11-21)
#489
Our veterans deserve to be able to have a break somewhere peaceful ... they earned it with their blood, sweat and tears.Nicola Murdock (Portrush , 2019-11-21)
#490
A good friend is going to lose his job which he works so so very hard for. Big devastation to him and his family :-(Stacey Nambi (Coleraine, 2019-11-21)
#491
The support these services offer military veterans is invaluable to their recouperation from many health issues, and gives families a much needed break from certain issues.Anthony Ryan (Leighton Buzzard, 2019-11-21)
#492
This is absolutely disgusting I would say most of the people sitting on the panel don't realise we as ex members of the forces in Northern Ireland haven't got a choice of where we can spend our holidays in Northern Ireland as our counterparts on the main land and you don't expect our older veterans to travel to the mainland get your heads out of the sand were a charity I stood at the door of Tesco's selling the poppy where my customers could recognise me and make myself a target but I do it for the poppy appeal wich I thought was to help my Comrades but I think it will be the last time and quite a few of us feel the same way xxJohn Huw Cleghorn (Londonderry , 2019-11-21)
#493
Veterans and families need quality nursing care in an environment with like minded people to help keep their spirits up and the mind active.Keith Saunderson (Enniskillen , 2019-11-21)
#500
Veterans and their families need respite careAdam Lewis (Southport, 2019-11-21)
#501
Too many people need and depend on these homes.Cindy Magill (Holywood, 2019-11-21)
#502
What in the world are they thinking. These Centres and facilities are the only thing we Veterans have left. What do they propose the money is spent on.Ray Thaw (PARBOLD, 2019-11-21)
#503
As a veteran, I cannot express how much these break centre's are needed by the forces community. These facilities help veterans come together and share their stories along with experiences in an enviroment where they are made to feel that they are all that matter. These break centres create friendships within the veteran community and allow much needed breaks from their daily troubles.Paul Bond (Londonderry , 2019-11-21)
#504
I am a veteranTom Morris (Rosyth , 2019-11-21)
#505
As a veteran I think this is out of orderYsobel Albone (Goole, 2019-11-21)
#507
I feel these veterans absolutely deserve a treat given the sacrifices they have made for us and our country.Sarah-Jayne Dallas (County Londonderry, 2019-11-21)
#520
I’m signing this because I feel passionately about the work and support that the British Legion does and I feel that these centres shouldn’t be closed because some of my friends use these. They are a great asset in coping with the stresses of combat and PTSDPaul Squire (Southampton , 2019-11-21)
#523
I'm signing because it's wrong to close these places so vets and their families can't have a place to go when they need a rest from daily lifeStephen Harris (Liverpool, 2019-11-21)
#524
The British Legion seems to becoming more and more remote from what its members actually want and need from them. I am seriously reconsidering my membershipUlrike Robinson (Nuneaton, 2019-11-21)
#531
It's a disgrace RBL are taking this facility away along with the poppy van. Stop paying top brass huge salaries and start putting veterans first.Sharon Mansfield (Oundle, 2019-11-21)
#532
These places need to be saved for all the veterans that gave their all for us today. They deserve to be able to go to places that give them the respect they deserve. We raise the money year on year for them not to squander on admin and the people at the top that are paid. Keep open these home's that is part of the reason people support Poppy appeal, believing they are supporting our Armed Forces past and present when they need us.Sandra Pickin (Wakefield, 2019-11-21)
#533
Myself and grandson have stayed with the lovely staff. It would a crying shame if it closedLiz Blair (Liz blair, 2019-11-21)
#534
These fantastic facilities will be greatly missed. And as a respect to the people who have been involved in a great British institution for many years.Paul Mc Gill (Ballymena , 2019-11-21)
#537
I am signing this because I think it's a disgrace that they are planning to close these centres down, especially Bennett House in Portrush which is the only centre in Ireland. So many veterans enjoy their break in Portrush as the staff are like family to them.PAUL MOONEY (LONDONDERRY, 2019-11-21)
#538
I personally feel that closing these centres would be a backward step and being ex WRAF with my Son and Grandson in the Army I think there should be access to these centres, if and when necessary.Maureen Girdler (Wigan, 2019-11-21)
#539
These break centres help out so many people including myself and family.. the staff are amazing.Melanie Mahaffy (Ballymena, 2019-11-21)
#540
False people claiming the status of those who’d lay down their life for their countryDavid Payne (Stowmarket , 2019-11-21)
#547
Pay the fat cats less wages!Christine Winterbottom (Darlington , 2019-11-21)
#550
Bennet House deserves to stay open!stacey Lawley (Belfast, 2019-11-21)
#556
I go on Poppy breaks with Combat Stress to Somerset Legion House WSM and is amazing and so helpful for our PTSD as I'm a VeteranAnthony Storr (Cheltenham, 2019-11-21)
#559
These centres provide a valuable service to veterans / ex veterans, a safe haven to holiday in a relaxed environmentPam Hazley (Newry, 2019-11-21)
#567
I contribute to the poppy appeal every year and they raise lots of money. There is no reason why these homes should be closing with the finance they haveSharon Sheehan (Blackpool , 2019-11-21)
#568
My father has made use of these great facilitiesLucinda Sproule (Castlederg, 2019-11-21)
#576
I am signing because Ibam a member of the Royal British Legion and a former Royal Marine ,the Legion helps a lot of people and I am very proud to be a member.Stanley Harbinson (Newry, 2019-11-21)
#594
These places are needed and used by manyLisa Smelt (Bridlington , 2019-11-21)
#595
As a fundraiser for Bennet House I am totally shocked at the decision to close it down ,I can imagine if this decision goes ahead the RBL will have a lot of people turn their backs on them when it comes round to the Poppy appeal when they are looking donations ,I for one will no longer be donating if this happens ,so many people have enjoyed a relaxing much needed break there ,it will be a great loss .Roberta Garrett (Newtownards , 2019-11-21)