When her father returned from the Second World War, Suzanne McInnes helped him sell Legacy badges to raise funds for the families of those who didn’t make it home.
A lifetime later and she’s still raising money for the 100-year-old veterans’ charity.
Every year for a week in September, Mrs McInnes takes to local shopping centres and parks to sell Legacy badges to keep the lights on at the Queanbeyan Legacy village, home to about 20 veterans’ widows.
The Queanbeyan Legacy branch also helps about 60 other families across Southern NSW.
“Some people who come there are not too well off in the beginning so it helps them get on their feet and lead a normal life,” Mrs McInnes said.
“The footpaths are too narrow for ladies with walkers by today’s standards.
“We’re also doing a major electricity upgrade, so the donations are very helpful.”
For almost as long as Mrs McInnes has been a Queanbeyan legatee, HMAS Harman has provided regular donations – Queanbeyan Legacy is Harman’s ship’s charity.
Mrs McInnes said outside Legacy Week, Harman was their biggest financial contributor.
On August 29, the Harman command team presented a $5000 cheque to Mrs McInnes and other Legacy members at the Queanbeyan branch.
The ship’s company raised funds at their annual charity ball in May, with contributions coming from guests and organisations such as platinum sponsor, the Navy’s Anchorage.
“Without sending anyone else into harm’s way, there will be a need for Legacy until at least 2086,” Mrs McInnes said.
Legacy Week is held from September 1-7, with volunteers selling Legacy badges at shopping and community centres across Australia.
All money raised from badge sales in the Queanbeyan and Eden-Monaro region will be used to support beneficiaries in the area.
