Retired police officer and Branch Secretary of An Kesunyans Keltek - Scoren Kernewek (The Cornish Branch of the International Celtic League)has pledged to return his two medals awarded during a long and commended Police career in order to raise funds for the homeless in Cornwall as well as The Original Cornish Heritage organisation, the company secretary of which is Mrs. Suzie Murley.
Last year, Mike and a group of local business people and a doctor (GP) wrote a letter to Prince Charles, Duke of Cornwall drawing his attention to the plight of the China Clay industry and the terrible job losses in the Clay Country around St. Austell and asking for his expression of sympathy. The letter was written using the correct protocol. No reply was received and so a copy was sent. To date not even an acknowledgement has been received, yet alone a fuller reply.
Mike also helps practically and financially homeless Cornish people who cannot afford to rent or buy a home or to put a roof over their heads and to survive in a Cornwall that he regards as increasingly a two tier society with the mega wealthy Rock/Padstow second home owners and the Rick Stein and Jamie Oliver set on one side and the impoverished Cornish people on the other.
One such person in her fifties and a former healthcare professional in poor health herself was living in a condemned Perranporth garage unable to fund more suitable accommodation. Mike helped to arrange the necessary referrals to Carrick Housing Department and eventually a home was located and fitted out partially by charitable means and by donations from Mike and his wife, Angela.
Another person who required a heart operation had been turned away from Treliske Hospital due to a lack of staff until Mike intervened and dealt with the local MP and Hospital authorities to ensure that the required operation occurred.
Having taken the appropriate legal advice, Mike has established that his oath of allegiance to the Crown is now ended and that he may return his medals via Police Headquarters to the Queen as they remain her property.
Mike, now a Republican, seeks sponsorship of at least a Pound per supporter of his action and causes which he will equal with the eventual sum being split between the Original Cornish Heritage organisation and the local homeless charity. In return for such support, he will publicly return his medals and hopefully make known what is happening in Cornwall to the Cornish people and of how a Duke who draws so much income does so little for his people. Mike may be contacted via his e-mail: michael.chappell@... to discuss any pledges and will invite the press to the medal return in order to publicise this event. He also intends to fund raise using the more traditional methods.
(This report prepared for Celtic News by An Kesunyans Keltek - Scoren Kernewek -The Cornish Branch of the International Celtic League)
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League
10/06/07
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