Nuneaton’s record-breaking Poppy Appeal
NUNEATON has continued its proud tradition of paying homage to serving and fallen soldiers as the Poppy Appeal collection record has been smashed.
Through the generosity of folk of all ages, a three-year-long record has been broken with a whopping £62,500 being collected this year so far.
That figure is only set to rise as more donations are expected but, for now, Archie Smith, poppy organiser for the Nuneaton and Stockingford branch of the Royal British Legion, was thrilled that the 2014 total of £62,000 had been broken.
He says that what makes this year’s total more astonishing is the fact that so many people have given money, making Nuneaton one of the most patriotic towns in the whole country. “It is incredible,” he said. “The record was set in 2014, and that was a special year with it being the 100th anniversary of the First World War. Also that year I was asked to take on the Nuneaton and Bedworth side of Bulkington,
“But this year we have done it all on our own, just the Nuneaton and Stockingford branch. I cannot thank people enough.”
School collections, pubs, market traders and college students have all played their part in helping set a new record.
As for why so much was given this year, Mr Smith could not really pin it to one thing. I can’t put my finger on it, I cannot really say it was one thing or another, just the fact that people in Nuneaton are so generous. We do well, we are one of the best in Warwickshire, in the country in fact.
“Places like Leamington have a head start on us, the council there give them a shop, we have to beg, steal and borrow, yet the people here are so generous. It is wonderful.”
The appeal actually runs until September next year: “We still have money to come in from wreaths and other donations. We recently had a donation from market traders and also from Tasty Bites in the town centre, which shows everyone gets involved,” he said. “I remember in my first year when I took over from Don Jacques, I was hoping to get £40,000 and we did, and it has just grown and grown and grown from then. That is down to the people in the town.
“I know how generous people are in Nuneaton, I haven’t just seen it through the poppy appeal but also the work fundrasing with the Royal Naval Association. Everyone should be very proud.”
The news comes in the same week that the man who many associate with the poppy appeal, being known as the ‘voice of remembrance’ in the two towns, Jesse Owen, has had a monolith unveiled in his name.