Norman Brown Nominated As Volunteer Hero

2.40.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 26th Jun 2009

Norman Brown of the Hampshire Royal British Legion has been nominated as a Volunteer Hero during a special meeting held at the House of Commons.

Mr Brown was nominated by Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne (both pictured here) for his work as the County poppy coordinator which followed his success locally in Eastleigh and Chandler's Ford in consistently raising more funds than any other Hampshire branch of the Legion.

The award is marked by a certificate and is organised by the Experience Corps, which aims to promote volunteering among the retired so that their commitment and expertise is not lost.

Mr Huhne said: "Norman Brown is the backbone of the County's great poppy appeal and also of the most successful Royal British Legion branch in the county. Norman has helped the Legion to perform its role of caring for servicemen and women and their families. No local Remembrance Day would be complete without Norman's calm officiating presence.

"Norman has a long track record of dedicated volunteering work for the Eastleigh community going back to footballing days, not just in the Legion. He is a very worthy recipient."

Norman Brown, who celebrates his 83rd birthday this week, was accompanied by his wife Betty, who also volunteers for the Royal British Legion. The ceremony was held in the Commons and was addressed both by the former Home Secretary David Blunkett and by the Experience Corps chief executive Maggie Semple.