Follow Kenny and help Poppyscotland
Poppyscotland is seeking a new volunteer to coordinate this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal in Perth.
The leading armed forces charity is also calling for locals to become appeal volunteers and help the cause.
Poppyscotland has made the plea as it marked Volunteers’ Week by celebrating the contribution made by its army of volunteers and inspiring others to get involved.
The annual Poppy Appeal is Scotland’s largest fundraising campaign and the money it raises provides life-changing support for the armed forces community.
The appeal is only possible thanks to the dedication of hundreds of volunteers, including area organisers.
And as work gets underway for the 2021 appeal in November, Poppyscotland is in need of a new area organiser in Perth.
Army veteran and former firefighter Kenny Forbes is the recently retired area organiser in Perth who stood down from the role in 2020 after 20 years’ service. Last year he received the president’s award, Poppyscotland’s highest volunteer honour, in recognition of his immense contribution to the charity and his community.
Kenny is keen to encourage new volunteers to follow in his footsteps, saying: “Volunteering as an area organiser for the Scottish Poppy Appeal was very rewarding, and it was a great honour to receive the president’s award.
“Helping Poppyscotland improve the lives of veterans and their families, thanks to the generosity of the Perth community, is one of my proudest achievements.
“I couldn’t have done it without a dedicated group of local volunteers, and excellent support from the team at Poppyscotland.
“Hanging up my area organiser hat wasn’t an easy decision, but it’s time for someone else to take up the mantle and lead Perth’s fundraising efforts.”
Scottish Poppy appeal organiser volunteers are crucial in helping raise funds for the charity’s welfare services, with demand from those in the armed forces community expected to increase significantly in the aftermath of the pandemic.
As well as helping to make a difference to people’s lives, volunteering is also an opportunity to meet new people, gain new skills and experience, and get involved in the local community.
Head of fundraising at Poppyscotland Gordon Michie said: “Kenny leaves a tremendous legacy in Perth and we’re all very grateful for his dedication.
“By volunteering for Poppyscotland, you too can help us transform the lives of those who have served, those still serving and their families. Our armed forces community needs our support now more than ever.
“We’re looking for individuals, businesses, groups of friends, or community associations that have good organisational skills to step forward to lead this year’s appeal in Perth.
“Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do – without their vital support, we simply wouldn’t be able to deliver the Scottish Poppy Appeal.”
To find out more about becoming a Scottish Poppy appeal organiser for Perth, or other opportunities to get involved throughout the year, contact Ian Jackson, volunteer development officer at Poppyscotland, on 0131 550 1559, email volunteer@poppyscotland. org.uk or visit www.poppyscotland. org.uk/volunteer