A plucky pensioner who has raised over £50,000 for charity has added another £10,000 to this total with a half mile swim.
79-year-old fundraising hero and veteran John Thompson took the plunge recently to raise the cash for Poppy Scotland.
And he recently presented a cheque for £10,190 to Megan-Rose-Birdsall, regional fundraiser east for Poppyscotland.
The 79-year-old has raised an astonishing £50,533 for charity in the last seven years and says there is more to come
The ex-army piper formerly of The 1st Bn Royal Highland Fusiliers.
John is a tenant of Bield Retirement Housing at Craigengar Park in Craigshill and has been raising funds for various charities over the last 49 years and says that there are a lot of needy charities in West Lothian and national and he gets real pleasure from seeing their faces light up when he hands them their cheques.
John said he is keen to do his bit as during the pandemic Poppyscotland has not been getting the support it needs.
He said: “Poppyscotland provides support for current and former members of the armed forces as well as their families.
“They have helped countless men, women and families with issues linked to their time in the armed forces or with struggles adjusting from military to civilian life.”
John said the charity offers support to people long after their time in the armed forces is over
He continued: “They even help with needs that have risen long after someone has left the armed forces. Whenever, wherever, support is needed they are here to provide information how they can help.
“They focus on advice, financial support, local support, employment, mobility, housing, and mental health.
“Mostly, the Poppyscotland fundraising team are civilians but many have ties to the military.
“Poppyscotland needs your support to help all veterans that need it so please give very generous donations “
John has been raising money for good causes for the last 49 years in the last year John has raised £5,135 for Erskine £6,035 for Legion Scotland and £10,199 for poppyscotland.
John will be selling Poppies at Asda store in Livingston in November this year so look out for him.
John’s next venture is a 15 mile walk to raise funds for Beatlie school in Craigshill Livingston.
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