Members of the Ross-on-Wye branch of the Royal British Legion were joined by friends from the St Weonard’s branch for a visit to the Battle Back Centre at Lilleshall to see how their donation has been spent.

Battle Back was established following a £27 million investment by the Royal British Legion. It cares for wounded, injured and sick personnel from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army and Royal Air Force.

Although they aways support the British Legion nationally, the Ross branch collected £5,000 in separate fundraising activities from those of the national British Legion organisation and the Poppy Appeal. Chairman Graham Aplin explained that all the work done by the British Legion for ex-service men and women is vital but, he told the Ross Gazette: “We wanted to do something more personal. We asked the Centre if they could suggest an item and then we determined to buy it for them.”

The group was thrilled to see the special tandem bicycle being used when they visited last Thursday, December 3rd.

As well as seeing their equipment the group were given a tour of the centre and took part in an archery session. Members of the St Weonard’s branch presented a cheque and a personal donation.

Margaret Jones, treasurer of the Ross RBL, and winner of the Ross Gazette Community Volunteer award said the whole experience was quite overwhelming.

The group has received an email thanking them for their visit and formal letters of thanks are on the way. The operational manager at the unit, Chris joyner, Chris Joyner said that everyone at the Centre had enjoyed the groups’s visit. He said the ’Battle Backers’ had all responded really well and he thanked them for such a substantial amount of money.

Graham added, "We wanted to see this for ourselves so that we, in turn could thank the people of Ross who gave so generously.

We hope that they can see the importance of their contribution and how it really matters to those who face a difficult situation in their life.

Margaret added: “Now we understand more about what the Centre means and we are glad to be part of the British Legion. It is there 365 days a year to bring people back from being in pieces to having a life."