Heathrow supports Poppy Appeal with Royal Exhibition
08 November 2011
Heathrow Terminal 5 will play host to Royalty in
portrait-form this month, with an exhibition of artwork created to
mark the Queen's 85th birthday and commemorate 90 years of The
Royal British Legion.
The week-long exhibition - which opened with an exclusive VIP viewing on Monday 7 November and coincides with The Legion's November Poppy Appeal - is part of Heathrow's Expo programme and one of the ways the airport is showing its ongoing support for the UK's largest Armed Forces charity again this year.
At the centre of the latest exhibition - hosted in the Terminal 5 Expo Fine Art Gallery - is a portrait of Her Majesty the Queen painted by fine artist Darren Baker. Baker was commissioned to paint the portrait celebrating the Monarch's patronage of The Royal British Legion which began in 1953.
As well as displaying the artwork in The Legion's honour, Heathrow will also be collecting donations to the Poppy Appeal from passengers across all terminals, as well as within the Gallery space itself.
John Holland-Kaye, Commercial Director at Heathrow said: "Heathrow is thrilled and honoured to exhibit this landmark piece of artwork and British history by Darren Baker and in support of The Royal British Legion.
"As the host airport for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, we are constantly looking at ways to provide passengers with an immediate taste of British sport and culture and we believe that this exhibition, and our ongoing partnership with The Royal British Legion, will provide a truly unique and inspirational airport experience. The exhibition will also help to remind people coming through Heathrow of the significance of the Legion and its work."
Sir John Kiszely KCB MC, National
President of The Royal British Legion said; "We are thankful for
the on-going support of Heathrow Terminal 5 and their backing of
the Poppy Appeal each year. As The Royal British Legion celebrates
its 90 year history this year, it is also laying the groundwork for
the next 90 years and beyond, ensuring it is just as relevant to
our Armed Forces community today as it was in 1921."
The Terminal 5 Expo Fine Art Gallery is one of the UK's first fine art galleries to be situated in an international airport. It showcases the best of British culture and commerce and is designed to give an unexpected dimension to passenger journeys.
For more information please contact the BAA Commercial press office at Mischief on 020 3128 6571 or baa@mischiefpr.com
