Appeal for a new Dunkeld poppy sales organiser

Ex-stalwart retires after 60 years at helm of fundraiser

Poppies may be few and far between to buy in the Dunkeld and Birnam area this year due to a shortage of volunteers.

William Forsyth, former Poppyscotland area organiser and chair of the Dunkeld and Birnam branch of Legion Scotland, retired this year from organising poppy distribution for the area after an incredible six decades of orchestrating the appeal.

The 84-year-old said: “We’ve not been given much help. For the last three or four years, it’s been just my son and I, as well as a couple of others who help organise the appeal.

“We always have plenty of people who volunteer as collectors, but it’s getting people to organise the appeal which is a problem. There is just nobody willing to do it.

“The Dunkeld and Birnam area stretches as far as Amulree, Bankfoot and Logierait, and we usually raise between £3000 and £4000.”

Ex-military man William is disheartened by the lack of volunteers, especially with 2017 being the centenary of First World War landmarks such as the Battle of Passchendaele – otherwise referred to as the Third Battle of Ypres.

“I think the way Poppyscotland approached getting volunteers may have been not quite right,” he added.

Poppyscotland has confirmed that finding area organisers has become something of an issue, with places as large as Dalkeith and Kirkcaldy still without somebody in the position.

Head of fundraising at Poppyscotland, Gordon Michie, said: “We have been very fortunate to have William Forsyth as our area organiser in Dunkeld and Birnam.

“We cannot thank him enough for his efforts over the many, many years that he has dedicated to organising the Poppy Appeal.

“Now that he has stepped down we wish him all the best for a long and wonderful retirement. For Poppyscotland, the attention turns to filling William’s shoes.

“We’re looking for individuals, groups of friends or community organisations that have good organisational skills to step forward to lead this year’s Appeal in Dunkeld and Birnam.

“Last year, more than £3600 was raised in the area, but, without help, we will struggle to collect even a fraction of that amount.”

Dunkeld and Birnam is the only area in Perth and Kinross without an area organiser at this point.

Last year, Poppyscotland raised over £3.6million and there are currently 420 area organisers.

Anyone interested in volunteering should call 0131 5501597 or email volunteer@ poppyscotland.org.uk

Poppies are available to purchase in October and November.