FROM a war widow struggling to pay her electricity bill to a former soldier needing a mobility scooter, the Royal British Legion helps thousands of people in need.

And Don Deaney, of Curbridge Road, Witney, is one of the men who dish out the cash.

From grants of £100 to £2,000, the 76-year-old volunteer welfare officer, who is based with the Witney RBL, is in charge of helping those needing support.

Mr Deaney, who served in the Catering Corps from 1952 to 1954, said: “I could get a call from anyone saying Mrs so and so has a problem, can you go and see if you can help?’.

“I will go out and see what the problem is, complete the paperwork and send it to our office, and hopefully get some funding back.

“You can get a call saying someone needs a new bed, but when you get there you find that not only do they need a new bed but they are in debt.

“Most of it’s to do with finances.”

The RBL has four Poppy Break Centres around the country, which Mr Deaney can arrange for people to stay at.

The only criterion for receiving help from the RBL is that the person must have served or be a dependent of someone who has served, in the Armed Forces. Mr Deaney said: “The person doesn’t have to be old.

“This is what’s coming out of Iraq and Afghanistan – some of those people will be looking for help in 50 or 60 years’ time.

“The Poppy Appeal is so important. I don’t think anyone would starve but I think they would struggle.

“If someone is confined to a room in a bungalow and you get them a scooter, they can buzz up to the town and back —–it opens up a whole world for them.”

His colleague John Cotton became secretary of the branch, which meets at the Windrush Club, 14 years ago – and is a regular sight in the town, going door-to-door asking people to support the Poppy Appeal.

Mr Cotton’s father Frederick served in the Devon and Dorsets Regiment, while his mother, Edith, was part of the Auxiliary Territorial Service.

The 59-year-old, of Oxlease Road, said: “I think it’s important that the armed forces know that the country is behind them and the civilians are supporting them.

“I have never served myself but both my parents served.

“It was not long after my dad died that I joined the RBL.

I think his death made me do something.

“As both my parents were involved in the war effort, we were always brought up to acknowledge and respect what the service people have done for us.”

Last year the group raised £14,500.

Mr Cotton said: “People are always willing to give but maybe, with the recession, they may not be able to give quite as much. Generally, people are very forthcoming.

“I think it is just important that, as a nation, we never forget the sacrifices that have been made by those who have served and lost their life.”

For more information about the Witney RBL, call Mr Cotton on 01993 772398.