A WOMEN’S branch of the Royal British Legion which has raised more than £20,000 to help injured servicemen and their families could be forced to close unless more members join.

The women’s section of the Wolvercote & Wytham RBL branch will gather to celebrate its 40th birthday next month.

But members fear the social and fundraising club could close within a year if new blood cannot be found, as numbers have dwindled from 120 in its heyday to just 11 now.

Secretary Davinia Truby, a member for the entire 40 years, said: “The club has been a big part of Wolvercote in the past and it would be nice to keep it going to raise money for good causes.

“In the past five years though, we have been really struggling to keep it open and I doubt the branch has more than a year or 18 months left in it. It makes me feel very sad.

“I’m the standard bearer on Remembrance Sunday, but if the branch closes, the standard must be laid up in the nearest church and we won’t be able to raise the flag.”

Although membership has been falling steadily over the years, the branch was further affected when the Wolvercote British Legion club, in Ulfgar Road, closed in 2007 as the management battled debt problems.

Mrs Truby, 71, whose husband John was a corporal in the Pioneer Corps, added: “We would really like some more members to help to keep the club going.”

Recent fundraising events have included fancy dress parties, film evenings and special events like an Abba night last year.

Treasurer Gladys Collett, 88, has not missed a branch get-together in 40 years. She said: “I have made lifelong friendships from being in the Legion.”

“It would be a shame if it closes. We have had social nights and events and we have invited people, but they say they haven’t got time with work and family life.”

Mrs Collett intends to step down in September, as she suffers from osteoporosis.

She added: “We keep hoping every day that someone will come along and join.”

Mrs Collett’s husband Les, 89, who was wounded during the evacuation from Dunkirk, in France, in 1940, said: “I’m proud of how they’ve carried it on all these years.

“It certainly would be nice to get some new people involved so it can carry on longer.”

Pamela Tuckwell, 64, joined 10 years ago, although she has no connection to the armed forces.

She said: “We thought it would be a good thing to get involved in, to meet more people and raise money for a worthwhile cause.

“There’s even more need for the Legion now the poor boys come home from Afghanistan and their families need our support.”

Anyone who wants to join the club should write to the branch at 14 Pennywell Drive, Templar Road Estate, Oxford, OX2 8ND.