Lancing Royal British Legion branch at '˜serious risk' of closure

Members of the Lancing branch of the Royal British Legion

The Lancing and Sompting branch of the Royal British Legion, which has been running since 1926, is at '˜serious risk' of closure if new branch officers cannot be recruited.

The branch currently has only four permanent officers in key roles and needs a minimum of eight in order to keep running.

Geoff Bowring, who has been chairman of the branch for eight years, said: “We are really, really struggling to get people to volunteer.

“No one is interested.”

He noted the dedication and hard work of the current officers, many of whom have volunteered for years and helped organise events including Remembrance Sunday by delivering and selling poppies.

“We can’t get people who will do that,” he said.

“Young people aren’t interested.”

The branch is also in desperate need of a secretary – which it cannot run without – after Mr Bowring’s daughter stepped down from the role after eight years.