Hayley Westenra and officer cadets launch Poppy People 2009
16 September 2009
Classical musician Hayley Westenra, 'The Armed Forces Sweetheart' today launched The Royal British Legion's Poppy People recruitment drive at Leadenhall Market in London.
Westenra, a staunch supporter of The Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal, was joined by six Army Officers from the University of London Officer Training Corps.
Westenra said: "I'm proud to be able to support the Legion's Poppy Appeal again this year and I would urge everyone to give the Legion a call and pledge their support by becoming a Poppy Person for the Appeal."
The aim of this year's Poppy People campaign is to recruit a new generation of volunteer collectors, injecting youth and vitality for the Legion's coming Poppy Appeal. The Poppy Appeal is the Legion's principal way of collecting the welfare funds that are used to provide financial, social and emotional support to the serving and ex-Service community.
Poppy People - the army of volunteer collectors, who give anything from two hours to two weeks of their time to distribute poppies and collect on streets, shops and in workplaces across the country - are crucial to the success of the Poppy Appeal. Last year, Poppy People helped the Legion raise a record £31 million for the Appeal.
Second Lieutenant Michael Townsend of The Rifles Volunteers said: "This is my second year collecting for the Poppy Appeal. Poppy People are vital to the success of the Appeal which aims to help those who Serve or have Served in the British Armed Forces."
Russell Thompson OBE, the Director of National Events and Fundraising explains that although the Legion has some 300,000 Poppy People nationwide, new collectors are always welcome. In London alone, at least a further 1000 are needed to meet the ever increasing demand.
"Our existing Poppy People are extremely dedicated, but in order for the Appeal to be even more successful than in previous years, we must constantly develop and enhance that committed band of volunteers to include young, enthusiastic people who have a real passion for our Armed Forces and for the work of The Royal British Legion.
"I believe we have the potential, with the support of the great British public, to make this year's Poppy Appeal the most successful to date, as long as those volunteers step forward."
If you are interested in being a Poppy Collector, find out more here or email Poppy People (please include your postcode).
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