Cllr Davy (left) at The Poppy Factory stand during the event at the Amex Stadium
Lewes District Council’s Armed Forces Champion, Councillor Sharon Davy, attended a regional conference to showcase work taking place within the armed forces community.
The ‘Together We CAN Make A Difference’ event at the Amex Stadium in Falmer last week brought together representatives from a range of organisations.
Councillor Davy said: “We all owe a great deal to our armed forces, past and present, as well as their families who support them, but all too often when our military personnel leave the forces, it’s hard to adjust.
“Some are terribly physically disabled and some are mentally scarred while others struggle to get a job or housing.
“The new statutory legislation, The Armed Forces Covenant Duty, comes into force later this year. It’s been a long time coming and recognises the unique obligations of, and sacrifices made by, the armed forces."
Among the organisations that attended was The Poppy Factory, founded in 1922 and still going strong, making millions of poppies for the annual appeal and more than a million Remembrance wreaths.
Councillor Davy added: “The Poppy Factory today is about so much more. It’s an inspiring organisation that supports veterans and helps hundreds of former forces men and women across the country with meaningful employment that can turn lives around.
“Few of us have ever experienced trauma as they have or faced a hostile enemy. I don’t take what they do for granted, hence my continued thanks to the armed forces family.”
