The Royal British Legion urges people to show their support for the Poppy Appeal in a new way during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In 2020 The Royal British Legion is asking everyone to back the Poppy Appeal in a new way. Like so many things this year, the Appeal has to adapt to the threat of Covid-19 and the charity is asking the public to support them like never before, because every poppy counts. Each year 40,000 volunteers make the Poppy Appeal happen. However, many of those collectors now fall into vulnerable categories, so it is simply not safe for them to do face to face collections.
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 they 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.
Every poppy makes a difference to the lives of our Armed Forces community, and the Legion has worked with its members, staff volunteers and partners to create a range of ways for people to get a poppy and show your support in 2020. People may have to do something different to support the Appeal this year, including taking part in remote activity like ordering poppies through the post for your neighbours and local community, printing a poppy and displaying it in your window, or undertaking a virtual Poppy Run, but every poppy counts.
PICTURED ABOVE: Child Collector. Poppy Railton (11), is a local collector in the Cambridgeshire area. Every year Poppy helps raise money for the Appeal by distributing poppies at her school and within her neighbourhood. She is named ‘Poppy’ in honour of two serving relatives who died in the First World War.
PICTURED ABOVE: WW2 Veteran: Seymour ‘Bill’ Taylor (95), Colchester, is a former Able seaman with the Royal Navy. He served between 1942 and 1946 during the Second World War and was onboard HMS Emerald, defending Sword, Gold and Juno beach during D-Day. This year Bill and his daughter, Janet, have been shielding during the pandemic at their home in Colchester, Essex. Bill was unable to mark the 75th anniversaries of VE and VJ Day with the Royal Naval Association and his local Legion branch, but still managed to be a part of the anniversaries thanks to the use of video calls.
PICTURED ABOVE: WW2 Veteran and RBL Care Home Resident. Royal Navy veteran Ken Judd, 92, served for five years during the Second World War. He’s been a resident at Galanos House, one of The Royal British Legion’s care homes, for 13 years. The Royal British Legion has six care homes that provide 450 veterans and their dependants with high quality residential, nursing and specialist dementia care. Like other care home providers across the UK this year, the Legion’s care home teams have been battling the challenges presented by Covid-19 in order to keep residents safe.
What are the ways to fundraise/ support for 2020?
- Poppies in the post – request poppies in the post from our website to share and raise donations from your friends and family following social distancing guidelines.
- Free Fundraising Packs – Already have an idea to raise funds? Maybe you’re a keen knitter, brilliant baker or fancy getting creative with the family? Order your free fundraising pack from www.rbl.org.uk/poppyappeal and the Legion will keep in touch throughout Poppy Appeal on your progress!
- Virtual Poppy Runs – 1st October – 30th November – The Legion’s park run events usually bring thousands to local parks across Remembrance-tide. However, due to social distancing measures we have launched Virtual Poppy Runs to help support the Poppy Appeal. Set yourself a goal and walk, jog or run, whether it’s a distance on one day, or over days or weeks, get out there and do your bit knowing others are running with you. It’s free to register via the Legion website and participants can also purchase a medal and T-shirt.
- Printable Poppy – The downloadable poppy to display in your window will be available via the Legion’s website Either download and print off a colour version or the version to colour in yourself.
- Poppy Shop – choose from a range of products at the Legion’s poppy shop to support and donate to the Legion www.poppyshop.org.uk
Where will paper poppies be available this year?
Poppies will be available from Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrisons, Aldi, and Asda stores and our volunteers will run collections in other sites and businesses where possible.
PICTURED ABOVE: Serving Personnel: Nicole Brown (Royal Navy) Leading Naval Nurse Reservist/ Paramedic Nicole Brown, (25) who is based at HMS Forward in Birmingham, is a student paramedic in her civilian life and is currently at the training centre of the West Midlands Ambulance Service. During the initial lockdown earlier in the year, Nicole and her cohort were out on the road to bolster the frontline resources due to the increase in calls outs by supporting Paramedic Crews and attending medical emergencies during Covid 19.
PICTURED ABOVE: Serving Personnel: Flt Lt Samantha Rawlinson (27) pictured outside her home in Birmingham. As part of the Royal Air Force Medical Service, Sam was working on ICU wards during the 2nd wave of the Covid pandemic at Birmingham QE Hospital. She now works on the Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre Covid-19 Recovery Service at DMRC Standford Hall.
How does the Legion support Serving and ex-personnel and their families?
The Legion’s work is split into a number of areas:
- Physical and Mental Wellbeing – which includes the Battle Back Centre and recovery through the arts projects assisting wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans
- Financial and Employment Support – including immediate needs grants for those most in need, benefits, debt and money advice to support those in financial difficulties and training and education funding to assist people into work
- Care and Independent Living – 6 care homes and support for more than 1300 families who care for a family member living with dementia
- Expert Guidance – On individuals rights, pensions and entitlements.
Ways to Donate:
VIA WEBSITE
www.rbl.org.uk/poppyappeal and click on ‘Donate’
BY PHONE
Remember you can always call our friendly fundraising support team on 0845 845 1945 to make a donation by phone.
BY TEXT
- To donate £2 text POPPY2to 70545 *
- To donate £5 text POPPY5to 70545 *
- To donate £10 text POPPY10to 70545 *
You will be charged £2, £5, or £10 plus one message at your standard network rate. The Royal British Legion will receive 97% of your donation We will contact you by text on the mobile number you used to give you the opportunity to let us know how you would like to be contacted in the future and to find out whether you would like to add Gift Aid to your donation
BY POST
Please print off a donation form via the website and return to Freepost Plus RTZT-ATBH-RGBZ, The Royal British Legion, Bumpers Way, Bumpers Farm, Chippenham, SN14 6NG.
VIA OFFICIAL COLLECTORS IN YOUR LOCAL AREA
Whilst the Covid-19 pandemic has impacted the ways in which we can deliver the Poppy Appeal this year, our community of staff, volunteers, partners and suppliers have been working together to ensure that the 2020 Poppy Appeal is able to go ahead and the nation can take part in Remembrance activity. The safety of the public, our staff, members and volunteers is our top priority and we are working with charity regulators and the relevant local and national authorities to ensure that all activity is safe and in alignment with both national and regional regulations.
Local 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.
Words & image from The Royal British Legion
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