The Legacy Club of Armidale has teamed up with the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers to raise money for the families of veterans who have died or given their health.
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It’s Legacy Week and volunteers across the region are selling badges to help more than 300 widows and their families in this region.
This year, 11 members of the 12th/16th Hunter River Lancers were given permission not to shave for the month of August, to help raise money and awareness for Legacy.
Major Andrew May said normally all army members had to be clean shaven.
“One of the funny things is that every member has had to carry around with them a document that essentially proves that he had permission not to shave for the month,” he said.
The group donated $550 to Legacy for the opportunity.
“They had to pay for the privilege of not shaving for the month of August,” Major May said.
If you buy a Legacy badge, every cent you spend will go directly to supporting families in your town.
All 91 members of the Legacy Club of Armidale, which includes Legacy contact groups in Uralla, Guyra, Walcha, Glen Innes and Tenterfield, are volunteers.
Soldiers from the Hunter River Lancers will also be selling pins around town.
Legacy Club of Armidale president Grant Harris said it was great to have ongoing support from the soldiers.
“These guys come down in uniform and they are far better sellers than us old people in civilian clothes,” he said.
Mr Harris said it was also a good link between what Legacy did and the soldiers' lives.
“When any soldier goes to work … they are at risk and therefore their family is at risk,” he said.
“We recognise that a soldier going to work is risking their life, and they may not come home.
“We need to be there for their families in case that happens.”
There are about 240 000 war widows in Australia today and more than 80 000 of those elected to have Legacy assist them.
Selling badges is the major fundraiser for Legacy each year and they receive no outside funding.
We recognise that a soldier going to work is risking their life, and they may not come home.
- Legacy Club of Armidale president Grant Harris
Last year, the Legacy Club of Armidale raised around $18,000 from around the district.
All the money went to supporting families in the region.