SAIF Golden Charter

More than £600,000 raised

On behalf of the Armed Forces community we support, I would like to say thank you to all the funeral directors who have helped fundraise for the Royal British Legion (RBL) and Poppyscotland through our partnership with Golden Charter over the last six years.

Together, you have raised more than £600,000 since 2016. This is a remarkable achievement, and we are grateful to everyone who has dedicated their time and efforts to the partnership so far. We’re looking forward to seeing the difference your commitment can make to those in need.

In what are challenging times for the country, we have seen a significant increase in demand for our welfare support. We are taking calls from veterans and their families who are facing unmanageable household costs and spiralling debt. They are having to choose between eating and heating their homes, and never imagined they would need our help. With your support, we can be there for every single person who turns to the Royal British Legion for help, whether they need to help manage their finances, keep a roof over their heads or find their feet again.

During the recent Poppy Appeal and Remembrance period, we recognised the extraordinary service our Armed Forces offer to the country. Whether protecting the nation, assisting others when disaster strikes, or supporting our NHS during the pandemic, our Armed Forces put themselves on the line for us all. Thank you to everyone who marked Remembrance in their local community and took part in this year’s window display competition with Golden Charter.

Your incredible contribution will help people like Terry from Solihull, who served in the Army within the Royal Corps of Signals for almost five years before leaving service in 1992.

After a successful civvy career in telecommunications for 17 years, Terry’s dependence on alcohol began to grow and his addiction began to take over in later years, resulting in Terry becoming trapped mentally and physically by his addiction.

In 2019, Terry was in desperate need of help, having lost his job and his family and started falling into debt.

He was in a bad place and was completely substance dependent. He finally decided to acknowledge his addiction and reach out and called the Royal British Legion. The West Midlands Area Team supported Terry with a supported payment towards a fridge for his home, shopping vouchers and payment of a Debt Relief Order, and aided with applying for limited capability benefits which was recommended by the Legion’s Benefits, Debt and Money Advisor.

Along with regular phone calls to check in, the RBL team also referred Terry to counselling sessions and advised on a local support addiction service, setting him on a path to sobriety. His council tax was also paid, which allowed Terry to remain in his home and the threat of bailiffs was removed.

He said: “All the little things the Legion have supported with have made a big difference. They lifted the pressures and worries I had off my shoulders and this allowed me to begin to address my addiction and seek the help I needed without having to worry about keeping a roof over my head or seeking work. I couldn’t have come this far without the Legion and I wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for the West Midlands team!”

Thank you for your continued support of the Royal British Legion and Poppyscotland, we look forward to reaching many more partnership milestones with you, and Golden Charter.

If you would like to fundraise for the Royal British Legion and Poppyscotland contact your Golden Charter business manager or email.

Thank you from Suzanne Grahame

For six years now, we at Golden Charter have been offering independent funeral directors a route to support the Royal British Legion and Poppyscotland by offering a contribution for each plan sold. We’re delighted to have raised more than half a million pounds together in that time – around £100,000 per year.

That’s testament to Independents’ role in your local areas and your commitment to supporting these charities and the armed forces community. So, thank you once again to everyone who has taken part and raised funds.

Terry’s story is just one: the charities have many examples of the real people they have helped over the time we have been running this campaign. As Terry says, small things can make a big difference, and every Independent’s contributions have added up to significant support. Our fundraising will see a knock-on effect as you begin to offer more plans to families in the wake of FCA regulation and we work to help you grow your market share. With your help, we’ll be supporting the Armed Forces community for a long time to come.