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Who Are Our Volunteers?

Anyone can volunteer to become a Poppy Person, no matter how old or young you are, or how much time you have spare - we are grateful for whatever you can give.

Poppy Appeal Collector
Voluntary Caseworker
Fundraising volunteer

Poppy Appeal Collector

Yvette Brown

Poppy Appeal Organiser Yvette Brown was born in France in 1939 at the beginning of the Second World War. She therefore witnessed first hand both the occupation of France by the Germans and its liberation by the British Armed Forces. So when her first husband, an Englishman, volunteered her to become the Poppy Appeal Collector for her area 35 years ago she ''felt proud to take it on''. Since then, every year without fail she has tirelessly worked to raise money for the annual Poppy Appeal.

''I''ve been proud to be able to do this for the Legion,'' says Yvette, who was awarded a 30-year Long Service Medal for her efforts in 1998. ''Lots of British people lost their lives in France during the War. This is my way of thanking them for the liberation of my country.''

Voluntary Caseworker

Rochelle

Twenty-one year old student Rochelle is one of a new generation of Legion volunteers, or Poppy People. Just over a year ago she decided to become a voluntary caseworker. On average Rochelle spends about an hour a week providing practical support and emotional advice to people in need of help. The work she does ranges from home and hospital visits to benefits and pensions advice; from applying for grants for those in need, to providing emotional support to the sick or bereaved. Rochelle has sold poppies since she was 16, and last year she worked full-time as the Poppy Appeal Co-ordinator for Manchester City.

Fundraising volunteer

Helen White

Helen White has taken part in the Legion’s fundraising ride - Pedal to Paris:

“Cycling in France was a joy. Going through little villages on our way, everyone came out and waved. The welcome we received wherever we stopped for lunch and tea was incredible. In one village, where the ride had stopped 7 years in a row, we rode in to the sound of the local band. The village was decked with bunting and everyone turned out to cheer us in.

In two of the towns we stopped at we were invited to wreath-laying ceremonies which were very moving events. Our visit was only a couple of days after the anniversary of their liberation in 1944 and this obviously still meant a lot to the communities we were visiting - even 60 years later.

The climax of the trip was the arrival in Paris on the last day for the wreath-laying ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe. The four days, despite the jolly hard slog, were made worthwhile by the welcome we received from the French and their appreciation of the cause we were representing. I felt proud to be a part of it.”