Go North East Bus Launch 2011

        
Iconic North East landmark Gateshead's Millennium Bridge was illuminated red on Friday night marking the launch of the Poppy Appeal in the region.

As the bridge glowed above the River Tyne, a Poppy Procession made up of Armed Forces families, soldiers just home from Afghanistan as well as our amazing volunteers and supporters, made their way across the bridge to the Baltic Square.

There, youngster Ben Marston presented the Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Joe Mitchinson and Colonel Ann Clouston, Deputy Lieutenant of Tyne & Wear, with the first Poppy of the region.  

Earlier that day the country's first-ever Poppy Bus was unveiled at Grey's Monument in central Newcastle. Bus operator Go North East has decorated the bus with poppies and our Shoulder to Shoulder message.

Behind the wheel of the bus was Go North East driver John Gordon.

John, a Falklands veteran, has been helped directly by the Legion, after sustaining an injury while on military duty on the islands.  He said: "I'm so proud to see the Poppy Bus on the road and that Go North East is supporting The Royal British Legion.

"The Poppy Bus will be on the road for the next three years. We want to show people that the Poppy Appeal and The Royal British Legion are not just about two weeks in October and November. They are relevant 24-hours a day, 365 days a year."

Able Seaman Kevin Vince and Leading Hand Sean Sinclair from HMS Calliope placed the final poppy on the Poppy Bus in front of crowds gathered to celebrate the occasion.