» Expressing a century of thanks for the Great War generation
THE Poppy Appeal for 2018 has a simple message to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War – thank you.
Organisers The Royal British Legion is issuing the message of gratitude to the generation who sacrificed so much a century ago.
Gloucester Cathedral’s Lady Chapel hosted the launch in the shadow of the with a giant waterfall of more than 9,000 handmade poppies created by GCHQ staff and friends.
Air Vice Marshal Ian Corbitt, the Legion’s county president, said: “Everyone has a connection to the First World War and we all have a reason to say thank you for the legacy that extraordinary generation left for us.”
“The First World War left countless legacies that positively impact our lives today from groundbreaking social change and timeless works of art to pioneering innovations.
“As we come to the end of the First World War Centenary, now is the time to come together in our communities and say thank you.”
Messages of thanks can be left on an installation of trees which will remain in the Lady Chapel until Remembrance Sunday on November 11.
The appeal’s target in Gloucestershire this year is £720,000 – part of the largest national target of £50million.
The money goes is used to deliver care and support to the Armed Forces community.
The Royal British Legion’s director of fundraising Claire Rowcliffe said: “We are calling on the nation to say thank you to the First World War generation, not just the British Armed Forces, but those who fought alongside them from today’s Commonwealth and the countless men, women and children who played their parton the home front.
“The work of the Legion is as relevant and vital today as it was in the aftermath of the First World War when the charity was founded.
“The donation for your poppy will help support today’s Armed Forces community through hardships, injury and bereavements.” Generations of the
Among those reading a message from the trees was retiring Lord-lieutenant of Gloucestershire Dame Janet Trotter who thanked all those who have served their country and all those who continue to do so
Dame Janet also thanked the civil- ians from Gloucestershire who worked in munitions factories, cared for the injured or worked in the fields to support the war effort.