The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Plea to get creative for Poppy Appeal funding
The British public is being urged to find new ways to support this year’s Poppy Appeal as the corona virus pandemic limits the usual 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 launches its annual campaign.
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 their windows.
Free fundraising packs for supporters can be ordered online while they are also encouraged to do their own “virtual” poppy runs, walks or jogs to help raise funds.
More than 15 million paper poppies will be distributed at supermarkets including 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 November 11, the RBL has launched a series of photographic portraits of armed forces members, Second World War veterans and Poppy Appeal collectors.
Taken indoor ways, streets and windows, the photos aim to reveal a snapshot of the lives of the armed forces community during the Covid -19 pandemic.
Those featured include Second World War veteran Seymour ‘ Bill’ Taylor, 95, from Colchester in Essex, who served as an able seaman in the Royal Navy.
He was on board HMS Emerald during the D-Day landings, a light cruiser that shelled enemy positions threatening the invasion beaches.
This year, Bill has spent much of his time at home with his daughter Janet who has been shielding during the pandemic.
“This year has been very tough, having been unable to go out, meet with friends and mark significant anniversaries,” Mr Taylor said.
“However, I admire those who have been on the frontline dealing with this terrible virus day to day.
“They have shown the same sense of duty that my generation did during the Second World War. They are the ones now protecting our society.
“So although I won’t be able to march up to the local memorial this year to remember those we have lost, I will proudly observe the silence on my doorstep and wear my poppy, as I do every year, with pride.”
The public has already been urged to mark Remembrance Sunday from home next month due to the coronavirus crisis, including being asked to stay away from this year’s National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph on Whitehall.
A limited number of people – including armed forces veterans, members of the royal family and international leaders – will be permitted to attend the service on November 8.
It will be the first time in the Cenotaph’s 100- year history that the traditional 11am service will be closed off to the public.
RBL director of fundraising Claire Rowcliffe said: “Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic undoubtedly makes running the appeal more difficult, the additional hardships it has brought about means our work is now more vital than ever.”