Here’s how to support Royal British Legion’s poppy appeal this year

Plea to Get behind Remembrance Day

The annual poppy appeal is launched

Heartfelt message

The message this year is “Every poppy counts” as the annual poppy appeal is launched – but this time with a difference, writes Charlotte Graham.The pandemic has impacted our lives in a number of ways. In May this year it was the 75th anniversary of VE Day, however, the country was still in lockdown so many events were either cancelled or took place virtually.

The Royal British Legion has launched its poppy appeal, but with many of its World War II veterans unable to sell poppies due to being in the ‘at risk’ category the charity is having to do things a bit differently.

Launch date

The appeal started on October 24 and runs until November 7, with remembrance Sunday taking place on November 8.

A word from community fundraiser

Community fundraiser for The Royal British Legion, Lisa Evans, said: “Like so many things this year, the appeal has had to adapt to the threat of COVID-19 and we are asking the public to support us like never before, because every poppy counts.

“Each year 40,000 volunteers make the poppy appeal happen. However, many of our collectors now fall into vulnerable categories, so it is simply not safe for them to do face to face collections.“The same risk exists for many of our supporters who can’t leave their homes as they would normally to find a poppy.

“The reduction in collectors makes running the Poppy appeal much harder, but the Legion still has a job to do.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on people’s livelihoods and way of life, leaving some in the Armed Forces community in dire need of urgent help and support.

“The Legion’s work is more vital than ever as we support people from all generations who have new hardships as a result of COVID-19 such as struggling with social isolation, financial difficulties and unemployment, losing loved ones or facing the threat of homelessness.”

Each year 40,00 volunteers make the poppy appeal happen

Paper poppies and other poppy products will still be available this year.

More than 15 million paper poppies will be distributed in supermarkets including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons, Aldi, Lidl and Asda stores as well as via some online retailers and the poppy shop.

Lisa said: “There are a variety of cashless donation options at each location with Morrisons and Sainsbury’s offering people the opportunity to add a donation to their shopping bill.”

Collectors will have new ways for people to donate including unique QR codes and contactless machines to ensure the safety of those collecting and those choosing to donate in person.

Lisa added: “Dealing with the pandemic has brought home the sense of duty we all have to protect the most vulnerable in our society and our way of life.

“The same sense of duty has endured through generations of our Armed Forces community from the oldest of our WWII veterans to the newest recruits, and this year once again they have been there when we need them, standing alongside essential workers on the front line in the fight against COVID-19.”