By Cherry Wilson

cherry.wilson@essnmedia.co.uk

The future of a charity group which has served the community for 75 years is in jeopardy as it struggles to attract new members.

The Croydon branch of the Royal British Legion Women's Section is facing closure because there are not enough people on the books to keep it open.

The group, which meets in Handcroft Road, West Croydon, once a month, has seen its membership plummet to just 12 women in recent years.

It has meant that the £7 a year fee they pay to be a part of the group is not providing enough cash to stay open.

Secretary Pat Scully, 59, of St James's Road, Broad Green, says she will be devastated if the branch is forced to close.

"I would have a really big gap in my life," she said. "I would have to join another branch but it wouldn't be the same as I wouldn't see the old members.

"I joined because of the social life. I knew they only met once a month and thought it would be something I could get involved in that wouldn't take up too much of my time.

"But I enjoyed it so much so I got even more involved. Everybody knows everybody really well here. We are all good friends now. I would be really upset if it closed."

The Royal British Legion Women's Section is open to women aged 16 and over and provides care and support to the ex-service community through charity schemes.

Its welfare programme provides financial help to ex-service women, wives and widows of ex-service personnel and their children.

Chairman Caroline Nevard, 30, from Beckenham, says the Croydon branch has suffered because previous members have moved away from the town.

She also believes many residents are unaware the branch exists, which has meant it has failed to attract new members.

But the turnout for October's homecoming parade in Croydon, involving soldiers from the 2nd Batallion The Rifles who had served in Afghanistan, has convinced her there is a purpose to the group surviving.

"It would be very upsetting to see it close," she said.

"We just don't have enough members which has meant that we have struggled to put on big fundraising events.

"But what happened at the homecoming parade was amazing. The outstanding turnout that day proved that local people do support our service personnel and they could join our group.

"Croydon is a big enough town so it should definitely have its own branch."

And Caroline is proof that women of all ages can join - as she has been a member since the age of 16.

*Anyone interested in joining the group can contact Caroline Nevard on 0208 289 0870.