THE head of the Royal British Legion (RBL) in Surrey has been made redundant.
Canon Peter Bruinvels was County Field Officer for just under 11 years, but a restructure meant the top jobs in Surrey, Sussex and Kent were merged – so his job no longer exists.
But despite the decision Mr Bruinvels has agreed to continue co-ordinating this year's Poppy Appeal in Surrey in a voluntary capacity.
"I found out at the end of August my job was at risk, exactly the same time my father passed away, so I had two awful upsets at exactly the same time," he said.
"Obviously I am retaining my role running the Poppy Appeal because that's my baby and this came about as the Poppy Appeal started. I'm not that kind of person to walk away in the middle of it."
Mr Bruinvels, who oversaw fundraising of more than £9.6 million in his time as head of Surrey RBL, also became head of Sussex RBL about a year ago – but his application for the new three-county role (including Kent) was unsuccessful.
"I thought this was a job I would continue to do until I retired so I am very disappointed about it," he said.
"It was many years of hard work that is no longer to happen.
"I am looking for alternative work in the military charity sector as that's obviously my expertise, but I didn't expect it so I wasn't ready."
But Mr Bruinvels said he was not bitter about the decision and intends to continue supporting the charity.
He said: "The legion gave me a very nice farewell party, and right to the last day they were hoping to be able to find me something else, but sadly they couldn't.
"I'm very grateful for the support I've had from all the volunteers and it's been a privilege to carry out the role."
Peter NcNeil, president of the RBL Caterham branch, wrote to the Advertiser to express his disappointment at the decision to let Mr Bruinvels go.
"It seems the faceless ones of the RBL have decided that the County Field Officer position is no longer required and saint Peter has been made redundant," he wrote.
The RBL had failed to respond as the Advertiser went to press.
