The Royal British Legion (RBL), sometimes referred to as the The British Legion or The Legion, is a British charity providing financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces, their families and dependants.
Perhaps best known for the yearly Poppy Appeal and Remembrance services, the Legion is a campaigning organisation that promotes the welfare and interests of current and former members of the British Armed Forces.
The Legion support nearly 36,000 War Disablement Pension cases for war veterans and make around 300,000 welfare and friendship visits every year.
Legion campaigns include calls for more research into: Gulf War syndrome and compensation for its victims; upgrading of War Pensions; the extension of endowment mortgage compensation for British military personnel serving overseas; and better support for British military personnel resettling into civilian life.
The Legion holds a fund-raising drive each year in the weeks before Remembrance Sunday, during which paper poppies are offered to the public in return for a donation to the Legion. The Poppy is the trademark of The Royal British Legion and other products bearing the Poppy, are sold throughout the year as part of the ongoing fundraising.
There are over 50 Legion bands around the world, each run and funded independently. They include full concert show bands, brass ensembles, pipe and drum bands, marching bands and youth bands.
The Royal British Legion has an extensive network of Social Clubs called Legion Clubs throughout the United Kingdom.