A procession made up of those who have benefited from the work of the Royal British Legion made their way across London – accompanied by military vehicles through the years – to Downing Street to present the first official poppy to Prime Minister David Cameron.
Advertisement
The Royal British Legion campaigned in the mid-nineties for the reinstatement of the Two Minute Silence on November 11, Armistice Day, and around three-quarters of the population now observe the Two Minute Silence annually at 1100hrs.
RSL appeals organisers at all sub-branches around Victoria are gearing up for the annual Poppy Appeal, with more than half a million poppies expected to be sold.
There are also those who paid the ultimate sacrifice – those who gave their lives defending the country’s freedom and the devastated families they leave behind.
POPPY Appeals for 2015 have started across the district with the Lord Mayor of Bradford receiving the first poppy at City Hall.
“Coventry Building Society has unveiled the highly popular Poppy Bond earlier than in previous years, and savers won’t be disappointed thanks to its attractive rate of 2.35% yearly, which is fixed until the end of 2018”.
Last year Loughborough Students’ Union raised an awesome £72,000 through their collections and they aim to do even more this year.
He said: “I am delighted once again to help towards the cost of staging this year’s concert”.
“People who did not know what was going to happen came to be part of it”.
Ron Young, Chairman of the St Austell branch of The Royal British Legion, said: “We’re chuffed to bits to have this unit provided to help this year’s Poppy Appeal in St Austell; White River Place has done us proud”.
“I don’t think it’s unrealistic to aim for £575,000 – we get a great response on the doorstep and from collectors when we are out and about in the town centres”. Branches across the district are hoping to beat last year’s Poppy Appeal total of £222,990.
Advertisement
The Royal British Legion’s area manager for Ireland, Brian Maguire, said: “Despite its long history, the Legion’s role remains as contemporary and as vital as it has ever been, supporting today’s generation of service personnel, veterans, and their families – whether living with an injury or illness, coping with bereavement or finding employment”.
