Kim Botting is the current President of Royal British Legion in Orpington and has held this role for nearly a decade, Kim is incredibly passionate about her work for the RBL and is currently preparing for this year's Remembrance Sunday Commemorations.

 

1.How did you get involved in the Royal British Legion (RBL)? 

K: My parents were always supporters of the RBL, so I have been a member and supporter for many years. After I was elected a Local Councillor for Orpington in 2014, I was invited to the Orpington Branch Committee meeting. Following this meeting I received an e-mail from the secretary telling me that in my absence I had been voted in by members as their President. This was a surprise, and an honour which I felt I should not refuse. At the time, the past President was retiring from the post. When I became Mayor of Bromley for the first time, I became more involved with the Orpington RBL branch because of the history surrounding Canadian Corner at All Saints Church where over 200 Canadian Soldiers are buried & because of the Canadian connection to the War. 

 

2.What does your role as president of the Orpington Branch involve? 

K: The role of President involves attending branch Committee meetings. The meeting begins with the Chairman asking me to say the Exhortation. We have an agenda & discuss issue such as welfare of members and raising funds for the Poppy Appeal. Armistice day & Remembrance Sunday is very important in Orpington as we have had up to 10,000 people attending Orpington War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday. This event has been hailed to be second to the Cenotaph in London. 

 

3.What will you be doing on Remembrance weekend this year? 

K: As President it's my responsibility to say the Exhortation and the Kohima on Armistice Day and again on Remembrance Sunday. I also attend functions and conferences. Also, I will be selling Poppies to raise money for the Poppy Appeal and RBL. 

 

4.Why is the work of the RBL so important in today's world? 

K: To me the work of the RBL is very important - this is echoed in the words of the Kohima "when you go home tell them of us and say for your tomorrow, we gave our today. " Millions of soldiers died in the First and Second World War and we must never forget that they sacrificed their lives so that we can live freely as we do today.