THE Royal British Legion is a force for heroes, run by heroes.


Its cohorts of volunteers – most, but not all, from the services – are out on the front line every week, raising money for a cause we all believe in.


So when news arrived through our letterbox that Fairford’s once thriving branch was struggling to survive, we knew it was time to act.


Veterans are ageing. Twenty years ago almost everyone had a relative who had served in a war in some capacity.


But as the Second World War becomes more distant, that is becoming less of a certainty.


Fewer veterans is leading to fewer people available to man vital posts within the RBL.


To distribute its good work across the country it needs £1.6million a week, most of which comes from its members charitable work.


Some soldiers from recent wars come home and don’t want to be reminded of the hardship they endured for their country.


But these, ironically, are the people who need the RBL most.


And it is not just those who fought that the charity supports, but their families too.


Without the thankless volunteers the RBL would be untenable.


You do not have to be retired, you do not have to be male and you do not have to have been in the armed forces to join.


All you need is a respect for those who fought for you and a passion to make their lives better.