AN 85-YEAR-OLD veteran in Farnham has received a new chair after a generous donation.

The newly-elected chairman of the Royal British Legion’s Farnham branch, Davie Watters, who is also the landlord of the Albion Tavern, was introduced to veteran Ben Hamlin at his flat in Farnham.

Ben was an evacuee during the Second World War and shared some memories during Davie’s visit.

During the conversation, Davie asked Ben if there was anything the branch could do to make his life more comfortable, to which the proud veteran replied ‘no’.

As the conversation continued, Davie could see Ben was struggling to get in and out of his chair because of his back problem. Ben had mentioned he had seen recline riser chairs advertised on the television, but they cost a fortune.

Davie then posed the question: “If we can raise enough money to buy you one, would you accept it?”

Ben replied: “Don’t be daft, they cost a fortune.”

Davie then posed the question again, to which Ben humbly accepted.

Within three days, thanks to the generosity of the patrons of the Albion Tavern, Davie and Lt Col (Rtd) Stuart Patterson MBE, the newly-elected president of the branch, delivered Ben’s new chair.

Davie said: “Ben was like a young boy on Christmas Day, absolutely over the moon.”

Davie also noticed on his first visit that Ben’s flat was like an ice box because Ben was scared to put his heating on because of the rising price of fuel.

Once Ben was comfortable in his new chair, Davie told him to put his heating on and not to worry about the cost, as from now until the end of March all the proceeds of the Albion’s Sunday meat raffle would be going to him to pay for his fuel bills.

Davie said: “This is what the Legion is all about – it’s an all-year-round charity to help our serving armed forces personnel and veterans.” Davie added he wished he could support more people like Ben in the Farnham community.