Poppy Day stalwarts forced to stay away – but the fundraising goes on

REMEMBERING FALLEN war heroes is one custom Covid- 19 will fail to dampen in a year where it has taken so much.

This year’s Poppy Appeal will be going ahead, fundraisers have confirmed, albeit in a much tighter form.

Many of the charity’s stalwart volunteers this year will be shielding at home and unable to take part in the yearly practice.

As a result, the 40,000 collectors the appeal has each year has been dramatically diminished to 28,000 across the UK, with some areas hit harder than others due to tiered- level restrictions.

Former sergeant Dennis

Woollens is usually a familiar figure seen sitting behind a table at his local Morrisons.

The 94- year- old is president of Willerby, Kirk Ella & Anlaby Branch of the Royal British Legion in Hull, but this year is staying at home to be safe.

“I will really miss it,” he admitted.

“But I’ve been told I’m in the red group and the legion have insisted that I carry on shielding. It will still go ahead, though, but without me there.”

Mr Woollens has an illustrious career, having been seconded to the Indian Army in 1945 based at Burma Command HQ.

Army veteran Cheryl Jones, 52, is one volunteer who has stepped up to help, taking over running the appeal in Rotherham East as many others are forced to shield or self isolate.

“I think this year has made a lot of us realise that we have a lot to be thankful for,” she said.

“This Saturday is usually when we would start selling, which is when South Yorkshire goes into Tier 3. There is a lot of organising to do to make sure volunteers, schools and businesses have the poppy boxes and wreaths.”

In Horsforth, Leeds, Royal Engineers veteran John Huck is also battling to make sure there are still opportunities to show respect amid the cancellation of parades, at which he is usually a marshall.

“This year is inevitably going to be different, with less face- toface interaction,” he said.

“I’ve had a good response from half a dozen local schools and I’ve been able to put out around 25 collecting boxes into businesses, pubs and clubs on my patch.”

This year has made a lot of us realise we have a lot to be thankful for. Army veteran Cheryl Jones, Poppy Appeal organiser for Rotherham East.

PICTURES: SIMON HULME AND TONY JOHNSON TIRELESS CAMPAIGN: Poppy seller Cheryl Jones, top, sets her stall out at her home in Rotherham; above, former Staff Sergeant Dennis Woollens, 94, who will be staying at home this year; veteran John Huck at Horsforth Cenotaph.