Consett woman commended for decades of charity fundraising

Vera, who started raising money with her war-widowed mother at six years old, has raised more than £1 million for the cause that supports veterans across the UK.

Since then, Vera has been the Poppy Appeal organiser for Consett for the last 24 years.

Read more: Meet Vera - she's sold poppies for 75 years and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds

Speaking to The Northern Echo, Vera said the commendation was a “nice surprise”.

She said: “We only had a week’s notice. I originally thought it was a scam… well, it was a letter from Downing Street, what would you think?

“It was a nice surprise. I feel very honoured.”

Vera explained that in 1946 she and her family were invited to a Christmas party by Consett British Legion after her father died in the war in 1942.

It was at this party that mothers of the children attending decided to form Consett British Legion Women’s section – something Vera would work passionately for later in her life.

Richard Holden MP and Vera Parnaby outside Parliament (Image: Richard Holden)

She said: “All of those years I’ve gone to the legion, especially the women’s section. As I got older I started collecting with my mum for the poppy appeal. Then, when I was 14 years old, I started in my own right.

“I’ve continued with the poppy appeal in various ways, always helping them. I became a member of the women’s section and taken many positions in branches right up to the national committee.”

Although Vera retired from the national committee, she still attends conferences when she can and has remained Secretary-Treasurer of the Consett Royal British Legion women’s section.

Vera’s latest commendation is one of many honours she’s received that have included meeting the late Queen and King Charles, but she admitted she doesn’t fundraise for the recognition behind it.

“I’m the type of person that likes to keep in the background and just get on. I’ve appreciated all the nice things, but I’ve never taken them for granted.

“I’ve never expected anything in return… I’ll keep going as long as I can. I have a good band of helpers and volunteers.”

North West Durham MP Richard Holden nominated Vera for the recognition, calling her work “beyond parallel”.

He added: “One of the best things about North West Durham is the strong community spirit that you can feel wherever you go, and Vera truly embodies this.

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“I want to shine a light on good deeds that go unnoticed all too often. I am thrilled that the Prime Minister can join me celebrating Vera’s mammoth achievements.”

On the event, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “I was delighted to host so many fantastic community champions in No10 Downing Street this Wednesday.

“The amount of time and energy that the community champions volunteered to their local areas is genuinely inspiring and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting them.”