National Poppy Appeal launch 2009
22 October 2009
The national launch of the 2009 Poppy Appeal will be held at Horse Guards Parade, London on Thursday 22 October at 12 noon.
Dame Vera Lynn, Hayley Westenra, Guards band, Queen's Life Guards in state ceremonial regalia and Poppy Appeal poster case studies will all be present.
The theme of this year's Appeal is helping the Afghanistan generation of the Armed Forces and their families - today and for the rest of their lives.
Dame Vera Lynn, the original Second World War Forces sweetheart who is once again at the top of the British charts, will be joined by Armed Forces songbird Hayley Westenra in launching the Poppy Appeal with support of the British Armed Forces.
They will be accompanied by an Elizabeth Cross widow whose husband fell in Afghanistan and a Royal Marine who lost his legs in Afghanistan. The 2009 Poppy Appeal theme and fundraising target will be announced by Russell Thompson OBE, Director of National Events and Fundraising for The Royal British Legion.
