Al McBride, Chair of Wells Royal British Legion, pays tribute to three ‘local heroes’ for their decades of dedication to the RBL Poppy Appeal
THE Armed Forces community is incredibly fortunate to have dedicated individuals supporting them who embody the spirit of service and commitment. This year, we shine a spotlight on three remarkable members of the Wells branch of the Royal British Legion who have collectively given nearly a century of their lives to supporting the Legion and the Poppy Appeal: Jim Parfitt, Pat Fabiano, and Di Keen. Their unwavering efforts have ensured that vital funds are raised to support our Armed Forces community.
Jim Parfitt: 36 years of service
With 36 years of service, Jim Parfitt is a true veteran of the Poppy Appeal. For at least 26 of those years, Jim has been a familiar face at Lidl, tirelessly collecting donations. Before his tenure at Lidl, Jim dedicated his time to house-to-house Poppy Appeal collections, demonstrating his long-standing commitment to the Poppy Appeal. Jim and his wife Cath also support a number of other local charities throughout the year.
Pat Fabiano: 32 years of service
Pat Fabiano has dedicated 32 years to the Legion as Poppy Appeal volunteer. Pat has been a cornerstone of the appeal at Waitrose. Prior to that, her efforts extended to Somerfield and the Co-op supermarkets, where she consistently championed the Poppy Appeal. Pat and her husband Louie also support other local charities including Wells City Carnival.
Diana Keen: 28 years of service
Our stalwart at Tesco supermarket, Di Keen has contributed 28 years of dedicated service to the Poppy Appeal. Her consistent presence and tireless work at Tesco have been invaluable to the success of the annual appeal. Di has also held other important roles within the branch, including Membership Secretary, Treasurer and Community Support, and remains an active member of the committee and also finds time to support other local charities close to her heart.
As the branch chair I am a relative beginner with seven years’ service, but I wouldn’t have been able to do it without their unwavering support and endless good humour.
Their many years of volunteering have made a significant difference in the lives of countless service personnel, veterans, and their families. The Royal British Legion extends its deepest gratitude for their extraordinary commitment and unwavering support of the Poppy Appeal.