A Christmas message from Dr Diana Owen OBE, Director-General of the Royal Over-Seas League.
I recently had the pleasure of visiting the National Memorial Arboretum, the UK's year-round centre of Remembrance. There are over 300 memorials and as well as Armed Forces memorials, it includes the Emergency Services and national charities who support those dealing with loss, sometimes of the very young. Their large Christmas tree was covered in circles of card each displaying an empty chair and with a moving message inscribed on the back by a visitor. They reminded me that whilst Christmas is a time when families come together, it can also be a time when we remember those who are not with us in person but are still strong in our hearts and thoughts. I hope that you will have a moment this Christmas to give thanks for everyone in your life, whether they are with you or not.
The end of 2019 also marks the end of a decade which has sometimes felt as if it has been a turbulent time of increasing division and difficulty worldwide fuelled by a gathering climate crisis. More than ever, we will need to come together to tackle these global issues and organisations like the Commonwealth and ROSL have a vital role to play.
Thank you for all your support for our work in bringing people together, supporting the most marginalised and vulnerable and promoting emerging talent around the Commonwealth. Every contribution matters.
With all best wishes for Christmas and the New Year – and particularly to our hard-working staff who will be providing our usual warm welcome to everyone who visits Over-Seas House over the festive period. If you would like to add your thanks to the team at ROSL, please consider giving to the Staff Gratuities Fund.
Diana Owen
Director-General
Members can give to the Staff Gratuity Fund by:
- Giving in person at the clubhouse
- Sending a cheque payable to “ROSL” and addressed to the Director-General’s Office, referencing the ROSL Staff Gratuities Fund
- Making a bank transfer to “The Royal Over-Seas League”, Account number 04478169, Sort Code: 180002, referencing “SGF - member name”. For International Transfers, ROSL’s IBAN number is GB95COUT18000204478169
Thank you
