Leeds Royal British Legion centre launched

Albion Street, Leeds, is home to a new Royal British Legion Advice and Information Centre.

It was officially opened earlier this week by Leeds locals Angela Butler and Mick Woosnam, who have been helped by support from the Legion.

The launch event saw civic dignitaries, military personnel and beneficiaries from the local area in attendance.

The Leeds centre is one of 16 that the charity is opening in the UK's major cities.

It launched improved services last summer and since then the Yorkshire team has given help to almost 1,000 veterans, serving personnel and their families.

"Both nationally and locally, the Legion recognises that the profile of our beneficiaries is constantly changing and that we must continue to improve our services to reflect that need," said Yorkshire area manager Gillian McKinnon.

She said that having the chance to use the charity's new Freephone helpline, find information online and visit offices like the new Leeds one and talk face-to-face is big progress.

The Legion's new centres have welcoming spaces where veterans and service people can get advice and help, and where the public can learn about the Legion's work.

Through the centres, the charity is providing office space to the Regular Forces Employment Association and Combat Stress, which are partner charities.

It's Freephone helpline, a national service, lets people seek support from trained advisors.

Meanwhile, both Combat Stress and The Royal British Legion are involved in a new Tower of London Project.

According to Historic Royal Palaces, the moat of the Tower is going to be filled with ceramic poppies from August 5th to November 11th, marking the First World War's centenary.

The installation will feature thousands of poppies, which are going to be sold off to help a variety of service charities.