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New Buckie councillors back Poppy Promise campaign


By Alan Beresford

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TWO newly-elected Buckie councillors have backed Poppy Scotland’s #PoppyPromise campaign.

New Buckie councillors Neil McLennan (left) and Chris Price.
New Buckie councillors Neil McLennan (left) and Chris Price.

Councillor Neil McLennan (Conservative) and Chris Price (Liberal Democrats) were both returned unopposed in the May 5 poll as only three candidates – including the SNP’s Councillor Sonya Warren – put their names forward to contest the Buckie ward.

Both Councillor McLennan and Councillor Price have connections to the Armed Forces and veterans community in Scotland.

Councillor McLennan supported PoppyScotland to produce education resources ensuring that remembrance, conflict and co-operation are resources in classrooms across the country. He also supported leadership development of service personnel and supports Armed Forces families and children.

Meanwhile, Councillor Price currently works for the Ministry of Defence at RAF Lossiemouth.

He said: “Moray has strong Armed Forces community connections and I am proud to support the Poppy Promise in my upcoming new role.”

Councillor McLennan added: “It has been great to see so many Moray candidates support the Poppy Promise.

"The Armed Forces community give service to us during conflict, civil contingency and in peacekeeping roles across the globe. We owe it to pay them back with our support.”

Local councils play a huge role in helping serving personnel, veterans and their families. The public services provided by councils, such as housing, education, transport, social care and benefits, amongst more, are relied upon.

However, some members of our Armed Forces community are still suffering disadvantage in accessing these local services and the support they receive can be a postcode lottery. When this disadvantage occurs, it is often because there is little understanding of the unique nature of their military service.

Prior to the local authority elections Poppy Scotland published a five point #PoppyPromise that which all candidates were urged to sign.

The money raised from the Scottish Poppy Appeal and year-round fundraising enables the charity to deliver support to members of the Armed Forces community across Scotland. Progress has been made, but from Poppy Scotland's experience of working with and on behalf of this community, there is still more to do.


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