Legion is back from the brink

Since then, the hard work of its team of volunteers has turned its fortunes around and helped to raise thousands of pounds for charity.

After the club in Park Road, Quarry Bank, shut its doors for the last time in January 2006, membership dropped to around 20.

The building was demolished in 2007 to make way for new homes.

Since then, membership has doubled with numbers rising every month and they are confident of there being a British Legion club in Quarry Bank once again.

Events and assistant Poppy Appeal organiser, Gloria Donovan, of Stourbridge, has been a member for the past four years.

"We are a very happy and hardworking bunch of members," she said.

"Everybody does their bit to help the branch.

"We are all confident that we will get a Royal British Legion Club back in Quarry Bank. We just need to keep increasing our membership," said the 65-year-old.

Mrs Donovan and her husband John, aged 71, a retired driving instructor who is the branch treasurer, were recently invited to meet the Prime Minister at Downing Street in recognition of her charity work.

"My invitation to the International Women's Week reception was a wonderful experience I will never forget," Mrs Donovan said.

"I met a lot of lovely ladies who are doing their part in fundraising for charities."

Last year, the branch raised a record sum of around £14,600 for the annual Poppy Appeal, smashing the previous total of around £13,000.

Members organise a series of fundraising events throughout the year in aid of the cause.

From April 16, the club members will spend a week selling roses for St George's Day in the Brierley Hill branch of Asda to raise the money for the appeal.

They have also booked stalls at three community events in the summer and later in the year will hold the annual Poppy Day concert at the Quarry Bank Labour Club.

Branch meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 8pm at the Labour Club, in High Street.

A memorable occasion for the branch was its presentation of a trophy, named after soldier Daniel Probyn, from Brierley Hill, who died in 2007.

It was presented to Mount Pleasant Primary School which had raised the most money in one of the poppy appeals.

Mr Probyn's father Tim was invited to the presentation.Members do not have to have served in the forces to join.

Further information is available from Eric Homer on 01384 860913.