THE Wallingford branch of the Royal British Legion is in danger of folding if volunteers don’t come forward to take up key positions.

Linda Shoebridge, 73, who is secretary, acting treasurer, membership secretary and welfare secretary, says it needs about eight people to come forward to take on committee roles.

She and chairman Frank Hames will soon have to step down as principal branch officers because they are both ill.

Mrs Shoebridge, who lives with husband Aidan in Millbrook Close, Wallingford, said: “I have been fighting cancer since 2010 when I was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, which affects the lymph nodes.

“I finished the last of six sessions of chemotherapy at the Churchill Hospital on Monday and although I’m not yet in remission, the cancer has shrunk and I’m hoping future tests will show I am in remission.

“I believe the branch originally dates back to 1921, and ran until 1965 when it folded, but was then re-formed 27 years ago.

“There used to be about 300 members but now we only have 100 and there is a real risk of the branch folding if we don’t get people coming forward to help out.

“The Poppy Appeal is ongoing 12 months of the year and we need new officers to come forward now.

“It would be a great shame for Wallingford if the branch had to fold.

“If I hadn’t had this cancer I would have been able to carry on.”

She said people who have taken early retirement would be ideally suited for the roles.

Mr Hames added: “The branch is in a precarious position.

“Forget Lord Kitchener – we, the Wallingford and District Branch need your help.

“We are not a bunch of old fogies who sit about reminiscing about the war.

“We are an organisation involved with helping much younger ex-service, serving personnel and their immediate families.”

The branch is holding a founding anniversary party on Thursday, July 25, at the Masonic Lodge in Goldsmiths Lane.

Jim Lewendon, county chairman for the Royal British Legion, said: “A lot of branches are struggling at the moment because they can’t get people to take up key positions.

“If a branch closes we could lose out on thousands of pounds for the Poppy Appeal, which supports ex-servicemen and servicemen who have suffered serious injuries in Afghanistan.”

To volunteer, or for more information on membership, contact Mrs Shoebridge on 01491 598479.