THE UK’s biggest armed forces charity, the Royal British Legion, is appealing for new volunteers to help run its annual Poppy Appeal in Worcester and raise vital funds to help veterans, current serving personnel, and their families, who have served and sacrificed for their country.
The charity, which organises the Poppy Appeal every October and November, relies on more than 3,500 dedicated volunteers to help deliver the appeal across the UK each year and they are seeking new volunteers across the county and in need of a Poppy Appeal Organiser in the city itself.
This year’s Remembrance poppy has been given a make-over and will now be completely plastic-free and easily recycled.
The new poppies will be sold alongside stock of the original poppy.
Volunteers help to distribute poppies within their communities – nearly 35 million across the UK – and can take on a range of roles including Poppy Appeal Organisers who lead a team of dedicated volunteers in their area.
The Royal British Legion says all volunteers will be fully trained and the role can help people develop skills such as public speaking and building confidence, and will allow you to make new friends, and be part of a national appeal, which is giving back to the many people in the armed forces who have served and sacrificed.
Anyone interested in finding out more about being a volunteer can contact the Royal British Legion on a dedicated helpline 0345 845 1945, or online at rbl.org.uk/poppyappealvolunteer.
The money raised from the poppy appeal can make a vital difference to people in the Armed Forces community.
The charity has helped the Armed Forces community from the area in a range of ways, from mental health support, help with recovery, advice on gaining employment, housing help and managing the cost of living.
In the year to September 2022, people in the Armed Forces community in Worcestershire have received more than 110 grants from Royal British Legion, totalling more than £75,000 to help with everything from housing, the cost of living, help with their mobility and getting back to work.
Julie and Jeff Evans from Bromsgrove run their local Poppy Appeal as Poppy Appeal Organisers and their son currently serves in the Parachute Regiment in the British Army.
Julie said of their role: “We enjoy supporting the RBL and although it can be a challenge, each year we get out into the community, meet new people, and raise vital funds for the Armed Forces community.
“We are a couple who just wanted to help out in our community and for the future of families of veterans who may need the RBL in the future.”
Amanda Clements- Hunt , the Community Fundraiser for the Royal British Legion in Worcestershire, says: “We would encourage anyone who is interested in volunteering for the Poppy Appeal to get in touch with us to find out more.”
“If you are looking for a more active part in the Appeal, we would love to have you as the Poppy Appeal Organiser for areas within the region. These roles are crucial to delivering the Appeal in the county and includes distributing poppy boxes, organising a team of dedicated volunteers, and counting money.”
“You will be fully supported in the role, including receiving training before the Poppy Appeal.”
“If you are well organised with excellent time management, capable of leading a small team, able to build key relationships and have strong verbal and written communications, a Poppy Appeal Organiser role may be perfect for you.”
The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal was first held in the aftermath of the First World War in 1921, where red silk poppies were sold, raising over £106,000.
Today the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal is the charity’s biggest fundraising campaign and takes place every year in the run up to Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.
To find out more and get involved with volunteering for the Poppy Appeal, visit rbl.org.uk/poppyappealvolunteer or call 0345 845 1945.
