Serving those who serve - the 2008 Poppy Appeal launches in Basra
23 October 2008
BASRA, Iraq – Poppy Man, the symbol of support for British Armed Forces personnel past and present and their families, is in Basra today to launch the 2008 Poppy Appeal among friends.
"It's only fitting that Poppy Man is in Iraq with the British Armed Forces to launch the 2008 Poppy Appeal," said Russell Thompson OBE, Director of National Events and Fundraising, speaking from Basra.
"Poppy Man is here to let them know that the thoughts of British people are very much with the 4,500 British Armed Forces personnel in Iraq and nearly 8,000 others in Afghanistan during this year’s Poppy Appeal."
Appearing with Poppy Man is soprano Hayley Westenra, the "Kiwi Songbird", who will raise morale with a performance of songs from her hit albums Treasure and Pure. Representing the Legion with Mr Thompson is National Chairman Peter Cleminson, Director General Chris Simpkins and Director of Corporate Communications Stuart Gendall.
"It's a great privilege to help launch the Poppy Appeal and an honour to be with our Armed Forces in Iraq," said the 21-year-old Miss Westenra. "I was a bit nervous about coming to Basra - but the gallant welcome I've received has more than made it worthwhile."
Noting that 2008 marks the 90th anniversary of the Armistice which brought an end to the First World War, Mr. Thompson added: "This year's Poppy Appeal is about throwing the torch to the new generation."
"When I look at photographs of soldiers marching home from war in 1918 and the faces of the men and women around me in Basra, what strikes me is how young they both are – and that the Legion has been there for both of them," added Miss Westenra. "Wars may change, but the need for a charity to deal with the human cost of conflict remains very much the same."
The Legion hopes to exceed last year’s record sum of £30m raised with a total of £32m in donations toward this year’s Poppy Appeal. Poppy Man will be getting out and about across the UK throughout the Appeal to remind the public of the importance of the Legion’s work.
"Last year's record amount reflected the public's concern for its Armed Forces and recognises the Legion's work in providing for their welfare needs while campaigning to improve their conditions, such as through the Honour the Covenant campaign," said Mr Thompson.
Some 9.5 million serving and ex-Service people and their families are eligible for the Legion’s range of welfare services, which includes grant-making to those in need, pensions and benefits advice, counselling and job retraining, home and hospital visits as well as the provision of full nursing care.
The Poppy Appeal takes place in the two-week period running up to Remembrance Sunday on November 9 and Armistice Day on November 11, when the Nation pauses for a Two Minute Silence to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice during their service for their country.
A gallery of photos and selected videos from the launch are available.
News Advisory:
Sky News is kindly providing open access for news agencies to the live two-way video link with the Basra launch site from its studios in Millbank from 0800-0930 hrs Thursday. Case studies and officials from The Royal British Legion will be in attendance and available for interview on site as well as Legion officials and HM Armed Forces personnel from Basra. The news conference feed from Basra is available by contacting Sky News: news.bookings@bskyb.com copy to colin.clement@bskyb.com
Due to space constraints there can be no cameras in the news conference. Still and video imagery of the visit of The Royal British Legion to Basra will be available for download from the MoD’s Defence News Imagery website at www.defencenewsimagery.mod.uk (username: GuestUser password: SilverCup)
Notes to Editors:
For further information about the Poppy Appeal and the Legion’s work please contact
Annabelle Fuller
PR Officer, The Royal British Legion
T: 020 7302 7136
M: 07919 696 456
E: Annabelie Fuller
or
Robert Lee
Head of Public Relations and Campaigns, The Royal British Legion
T: 020 7302 7141
M: 07798 654 071
E: Robert Lee
