Empty streets force Poppy Appeal to seek new ideas
As Poppyscotland launched its annual appeal yesterday in a deserted Buchanan Street in Glasgow, the charity urged the public to find new ways to support the Poppy Appeal as the Covid pandemic keeps people at home and limits the work of its fundraising collectors.
The public is being urged to find new ways to support this year’s Poppy Appeal as the coronavirus pandemic limits the traditional work of its fundraising collectors.
Social distancing requirements and shielding volunteers are among the challenges faced by armed forces charity The Royal British Legion (RBL) as it launched its annual campaign yesterday.
The charity said it has around 40,000 volunteers support the appeal annually, with numbers possibly dropping by approximately 30 per cent this year.
But under the message "every poppy counts", it is encouraging people to back alternative ideas for showing their support while raising money for current and ex-members of the armed forces who may be facing hardships, injuries or bereavements.
These include making a request through the RBL'S website for poppies to be sent in the post to be distributed among neighbours, families and friends while following social distancing guidelines.
A printable poppy is also available to download - either in colour or to be coloured in - that people can fix to the windows.
Free fundraising packs for supporters can be ordered online while supporters are also encouraged to do their own "virtual" poppy runs, walks or jogs to help raise funds.
More than 15 million paper pop pies will be distributed at super markets including Sa ins bury's, Tesco, Morrisons, Aldi and Asda. They will also be available online via the RBL's Poppy Shop website.
Cashless donation options are available through QR codes, contactless payments and a text-to-donate facility.
To mark this year's appeal, which runs until Armistice Day on 11 November, the RB L has launched a series of photographic portraits of armed forces members, Second World War veterans and Poppy Appeal collectors.
Taken in door ways, streets and windows, the photos aim to reveal a snapshot of the lives of the armed forces community during the Covid -19 pandemic.
A spokesperson for the RBL said some volunteers will be street collecting this year, depending on local authority and government guidelines for their region.
The public has already been urged to mark Remembrance Sunday from home next month due to the coronavirus crisis.