Funeral director in Thatcham raises £500,000 with Royal British Legion and Poppyscotland in fundraising campaign

A funeral director based in Thatcham has aided the Royal British Legion and Poppyscotland in raising £500,000.

A.B Walker & Son Ltd. partnered with funeral plan provider Golden Charter on a campaign that see’s £25 made to the charities for every funeral plan they sell.

Julian Walker at A.B Walker & Son said: “As my brother and I have both previously served, we are extremely proud that our business supports the Royal British Legion and Poppyscotland in our fundraising efforts.

“We see the charity as a vital support to those within the armed forces and as our business supports employment of ex-forces personnel, we are thrilled to help in any way we can.”

In 2017, Mr Walker participated in the London to Paris cycle ride to raise awareness amongst the funeral director community and says he hopes to continue the partnership with the charity.

He added: “We believe our link with the charity shows the commitment and values of independent funeral directors.

“Our fundraising is an example of the support and service to our communities that the sector brings across the UK.”

The funds are to go toward supporting serving and ex-members of the British Armed Forces and their families.

Head of Corporate Partnerships at the Royal British Legion Ben France said: “We are extremely proud of everything we have achieved in our fundraising partnership with Golden Charter and its independent funeral director partners since 2016.

“We are truly thankful that the partnership has reached an incredible milestone of £500,000 raised.”

A.B Walker & Son, based in The Broadway, were one of 691 independent funeral directors who came together to raise funds.

Golden Charter chief executive Suzanne Grahame commented: “I’m looking forward to seeing this number grow as we enter the sixth year of the campaign and prepare to support the Poppy Appeal over the coming months!”