Guard of honour to mark poppy appeal...
THE Royal British Legion is encouraging supporters at Saturday's top of the table clash with Gillingham to uncover the story behind the poppy.From the red poppy’s origins as a symbol of Remembrance and hope, to the modern stories of how the Legion helps the Armed Forces community in the West Midlands, there’s so much to discove.
The GVC cadets have been collecting for the Poppy Appeal at the Walsall fixtures for many years and as well as at other locations in the area. The generosity of the British public helped the Legion answer over 450,000 calls for help in the last year.
The money raised from the Poppy Appeal goes towards the Legion’s work with current Serving personnel, veterans and their families, including innovative dementia care, theatre recovery projects, world-leading research on blast injury studies, and Legion owned seaside break centres.
GVCAC Cpl Bethany Griffiths aged 16said: “This year we want everyone to uncover the story behind the poppy and learn how your donation helps today’s Armed Forces community. The Legion does amazing work with the children of current Forces families all through the generations to Second World War veterans.
“Most people are familiar with the poppy are a symbol of Remembrance, but its original meaning was also one of hope for the future. Hope to live on in more positive and independent lives after going through tough times, and it is hope the Legion provides to those in the Armed Forces community. Every donation received will make a real difference to the lives of Service men and women, veterans and their loved ones.”
The money raised on Saturday will go towards the Legion’s national target of £41million to continue its vital work delivering practical,through life care and support to the Armed Forces community. Local Poppy Appeal Organiser, Angela Dale Dolan said: “The Legion’s role remains as contemporary and as vital as it has ever been supporting today’s generation of Service personnel, veterans, and their families whether living with an injury or illness, coping with bereavement or finding employment. “The Legion’s work is entirely dependent on the public’s generous support – so please wear your poppy with pride, knowing that you are helping the Armed Forces community to live on.”