We get up every day to support Royal British Legion because we know it works

Together, we’re raising money for two charities Royal British Legion and the RAF Benevolent Fund throughout our Community Champion scheme. Here we speak to Jane and Mark Reddin about how support from the Royal British Legion changed their lives…

Jane Redding was expecting the birth of her second child, but things took a nasty turn when she suffered a stroke during pregnancy. She couldn’t work, and husband and ex-serviceman Mark lost work hours to support his wife. They were unable to pay the mortgage, but thankfully baby Marcus, now 25 and working as an Air Steward, soon arrived safe and sound.

Things took another turn when Jane had a second stroke and it came to light that she had Systemic Lupus - an illness in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue in the body.

“I was in and out of hospital quite often for the first three years of Marcus’ life,” says Jane. “I still have bad weeks now where I struggle to get out of bed. Not being able to afford the mortgage was difficult and we had no idea who to turn to.”

It was then where Mark decided to contact Royal British Legion. “They were brilliant! They helped us back on our feet and have been there to support us in tough times. We’ve always wanted to give something back so that’s where the fundraising really started.” says Mark.

The two are now both heavily involved in raising money for the charity in the Mablethorpe and Sutton on Sea region – they helped raise a whopping £46,000 last year by doing a sponsored big dip in the Mablethorpe sea, bingo nights and even sponsored tattoos.

Jane says there’s so much they could praise the charity for. She says, “I think the main reason we get up every day to support Royal British Legion is because we know it works and we’ve experienced it first-hand help people.”

For more information on how Lincolnshire Co-op is raising funds for both charities check out more on our Community Champions page.