Serving Those Who Serve: Poppy Man Launches the 2008 Poppy Appeal at the National Memorial Arboretum
The National Memorial Arboretum had a very special visitor today in the form of Poppy Man, the symbolic representation of the help The Royal British Legion gives to serving and ex-Service people and their families.
Poppy Man will be taking time out of his busy schedule to greet visitors to the Arboretum at various junctures throughout the Remembrance Period.
The Legion hopes to exceed last year’s record sum of £30 raised with a total of £32m in donations toward this year’s Poppy Appeal. Poppy Man will be getting out and about across the UK throughout the Appeal to remind the public of the importance of the Legion’s work. You can check out his whereabouts at his very own blog http://moblog.net/Poppy_Man/.
This year's Poppy Appeal campaign is all about serving those who serve against the backdrop of those young men and women who continue to make sacrifices today in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Charlie Bagot Jewitt, chief executive of the National Memorial Arboretum, said: “The Poppy Appeal is not only about remembering the people that have lost their lives in past and current conflicts. With on-going operations in Iraq and Afghanistan we are reminded that the human cost of conflict is sadly ongoing and that the Poppy Appeal is still as relevant now as it ever has been. Today, I’m calling on everyone to give generously to the Poppy Appeal and of course to wear your poppy with pride.”
Some 10.5 million serving and ex-Service people and their families are eligible for the Legion’s range of welfare services, which includes grant-making to those in need, pensions and benefits advice, counselling and job retraining, home and hospital visits as well as the provision of full nursing care.
Charlie Bagot Jewitt concluded: “The Poppy Appeal takes place in the two-week period running up to Remembrance Sunday on 9th November and Armistice Day on 11th November, when the nation pauses for a two minute silence to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice during their service for their country. Last year’s record amount reflected the public’s concern for its armed forces and recognises the Legion’s work in providing for their welfare needs while campaigning to improve their conditions.”
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