A mum whose dad was a prisoner of war has taken over the job of raising money for soldiers in the town’s poppy appeal.
Kate Hewison, 49, saw the good work of the Royal British Legion at first hand when her dad Sidney Hall was supported by the charity.
He was shot as a soldier during the Second World War and was a prisoner of war in Poland for five years. Mr Hall suffered from his injury and was grateful for the help he got from the Royal British Legion in London and elsewhere.
Kate’s brother John Hall and nephew have been paratroopers in the forces too – so she decided she wanted to give something back.
Kate, married to David, of Chapel Lane, said: “I was delighted to offer my help to the Poppy Appeal, because three generations from my family served in the Armed Forces.
“My dad was poorly from his injury and the advice and support from the legion really helped. The Royal British Legion was never far away.”
Kate, mum to son Billy, 15, at Wilmslow High School, and daughter Nicole, 10, a pupil at St Anne’s Fulshaw Primary School, started volunteering for the Poppy Appeal eight years ago. She worked under Jim McDermott, a veteran who ran the appeal for more than 40 years until last year.
His appeal raised hundreds of thousands of pounds and was invited to the Queen's garden party at Buckingham Palace this summer to mark the achievement.
Khumi Burton took over temporarily and is now working as the Poppy Appeal co-ordinator for East Cheshire – overseeing more than 20 towns.
Kate is looking for help assembling, distributing and collecting up to 400 collection boxes, as well as other roles during the appeal.
She said: “The appeal is for people of all ages and we welcome people getting in touch.”
Kate is urging people to get involved in the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Picnic scheme to raise extra funds. Contact Kate on 07802 735687 to help with the appeal or go to british legion.org.uk.
