Supporters rally to the cause of Burnham-On-Sea war veteran

Published: October 22, 2007
Supporters rally to the cause of Burnham-On-Sea war veteran

Supporters of Burnham-On-Sea World War Two veteran Norman Binnall gathered outside Somerset County Council's headquarters on Monday afternoon (October 22nd) as they stepped up their campaign for better social care for war veterans.

These were the scenes outside County Hall in Taunton as the supporters of Mr Binnall, 89, met County Council bosses to discuss his plight.

Norman's story was exclusively reported by Burnham-On-Sea.com in September and has since been followed up by TV stations, radio shows, and newspapers from across the country.

He was forced to leave Burnham's Frith House Care Home after the County Council's Social Services group said he had recovered from a wrist injury earlier in the year. But Norman's supporters, led by Burnham resident Dave Ilsley, say he is frail and should not be forced back to his one bed flat as he - and millions of other war veterans like him - deserve proper treatment in their old age.

Over 900 people have signed an online petition on the official Number 10 Downing Street website set up by several of Norman's Burnham-based supporters in support of boosting government funding for war veterans.

Somerset County Council Chairman Alan Gloak told the group of supporters outside County Hall: "I definitely support you in your cause - thank goodness someone is campaigning on behalf of war veterans."

The group was also praised by the Taunton and Wellington Pensioners Forum, whose President Jim Stevens told Burnham-On-Sea.com at the rally: "We're very happy to be helping Norman and his supporters. The treatment of war veterans like him is terribly wrong."

Earlier in the day, Norman and his supporters had met the Deputy Leader of Somerset County Council, Justin Robinson, to discuss possible solution to Norman's plight.

"It was a very positive meeting and we're looking to see whether we can get Norman reassessed," Mr Robinson told Burnham-On-Sea.com.

"We're clearly not doing enough as a society for war veterans and we discussed whether the cost of care should fall with the County Council and tax payers, or the government."

"My personal feeling is that the cost should be met by the MoD and central government."

Mr Ilsley said he was pleased with the rally, which had been covered by a TV crew from ITV West and other local media, adding: ""This rally had special importance because it was held on Trafalgar Day - a very important date for war veterans."

"People like Norman deserve our support. He is the tip of the iceberg. I hope that we're getting more attention for all them - there are many, many veterans like Norman who need proper social care."

Burnham-On-Sea News