THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION HAS SAID THANK YOU TO SHONA for pledging to do her bit for the British Armed Forces family.

Shona met a delegation from the Royal British Legion at Westminster to support the charity's call for general election candidates of all parties to support the whole Armed Forces family. She also discussed the Legion's manifesto for the General Election.

The manifesto sets out priorities for the next Government to improve conditions for the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. It encourages MPs to 'do their bit' for Service Personnel and their families, the bereaved, veterans and dependants.

During the meeting, Shona was photographed with a giant replica of the personalised pledge card, which she has been given by the Legion in recognition of her pledge.

Shona said:

'My late father served in the Armed Forces for 25 years and so looking after the Armed Forces has always been close to my heart.

'My dad was a member of the Legion as well, so it means a lot to me to pledge to do my bit and to get my pledge card from the Legion. I was one of the first MPs to sign up to do my bit.

'I know the work they do for the whole Armed Forces family matters not just to me, but to so many of my constituents as well. It's so important we all get behind them, and I'm looking forward to seeing how my party responds to their manifesto.

'Of course, I've been pressuring ministers to back the campaign and was pleased that the Secretary of State for Defence has signed up and that the Prime Minister will, too.'

Kevin Shinkwin, the Legion's Head of Public Affairs, said:

'We're delighted to give Shona her pledge card in recognition of her pledge to do her bit. Our message to every MP and candidate standing at the general election is very simple: 'It's time to do your bit. How you do that is entirely up to you but pledging publicly at www.timetodoyourbit.org.uk is a great way of showing your support for the whole Armed Forces family, both now and beyond the general election.

'Both the serving and ex-Service community need the support of politicians," he added.

'Our manifesto outlines practical ways the next government can help and we hope all the parties will give it serious consideration.'

The Royal British Legion is the nation's leading Armed Forces charity providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. It is also the national Custodian of Remembrance and safeguards the Military Covenant between the nation and its Armed Forces. It is best known for the annual Poppy Appeal and its emblem the red poppy -- www.britishlegion.org.uk.

Shona is pictured being presented by Legion staff member, Bethan Herbert, with a giant replica of the personalised pledge card which she has been given in recognition of her pledge.

8 February 2010