Thanks given to two homeless people who saved Fareham's Falkland War memorial wreath

WHEN a wreath to commemorate those who died in the Falklands War went missing from a memorial in Fareham many people were deeply upset.
Fareham Poundland Manager who attached the wreath to the memorial archFareham Poundland Manager who attached the wreath to the memorial arch
Fareham Poundland Manager who attached the wreath to the memorial arch

But what first appeared to be an upsetting incident has instead turned out to be a heartwarming story.

The wreath was placed at the arch at the entrance of the town's shopping centre last week during a ceremony to launch the Royal British Legion poppy appeal and to commemorate poppy seller and RAF veteran Ted Burridge who died earlier this year.

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Sam Waddington from One Community, a charity in Fareham, said: '˜This week it was believed that a wreath to commemorate those who died in the Falklands War had been stolen.

'˜Remarkably, it was the wind that constantly kept blowing the wreath into a car park rather than it being taken by anyone and it was only down to two homeless adults that noticed this happening and kept hold of it to avoid it being lost.

'˜If they had not been this hugely important wreath for the community may have gone for good.'

The manager of Poundland in Fareham has since stepped in and used cable ties to attach the wreath to the arch.

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Mike Homer, who is the organiser of Fareham's Royal British Legion poppy appeal was left devastated thinking someone had stolen the wreath.

He said: '˜I am absolutely delighted with the acts of the Poundland manager and the homeless people.

'˜It definitely won't move now with the cable ties and Poundland have said they will keep an eye on it for me.'

Mike added: '˜I also gave a photo of Andy, who put the wreath in its place last week, to one of the homeless people who caught it and they were really over the moon with that.'

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Sam said: '˜It is only a small act of kindness but one that deserves to be noticed.

'˜Sometimes it is these gestures like these that mean the most, and that is how it will be felt by those affected by the Falklands War in Fareham.'

 

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