-jason-paul-gavin-sherry-richard-davies-nick-bennion-leanne-walmsley-steven-ford.jpg?sfvrsn=bc6dbb3b_0&method=CropCropArguments&width=1600&height=847&Signature=B616A1D61FE23E3F0714B7992513A6CA4854F5B3 "L-R Bronwyn Wilkinson and Prince (dog), Jason Paul, Gavin Sherry, Richard Davies, Nick Bennion, Leanne Walmsley, Steven Ford")
The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal for 2025 officially launches today (Thursday 23 October) and this year is highlighting how the RBL is helping to rebuild lives across the Armed Forces community.
Founded in 1921, the Appeal aims to raise over £50 million to fund the RBL’s vital work supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families throughout their lives with whatever they need, whenever it’s needed.
Veterans and their families whose lives have been rebuilt by the RBL gathered at FRAMELESS in central London amid a spectacular immersive poppy landscape projection, where they shared stories of how donations to the Poppy Appeal have helped them, and explained why it means so much to the Armed Forces community when they see members of the public wearing poppies.
Left to Right - Veterans Bronwyn Wilkinson and Prince (dog), Gavin Sherry, Nick Bennion, Jason Paul, Richard Davies, Steven Ford and Leanne Walmsley
At any given moment, the RBL is helping over 7,000 members of the Armed Forces community with expert advice and practical support.
For some in the Armed Forces community, issues from service can affect them later in life, often with swift and devastating consequences. There are many reasons that could cause a veteran’s life to fall apart – the lasting impact of a training accident, the loss of a friend, or battlefield trauma.
Veterans at today’s launch shared personal accounts of the struggles they faced after service and how the RBL has been there for them including:
Leanne Walmsley, 33, from Staffordshire, suffered life-changing injuries in a training accident that led to her being medically discharged after a decade in the Army – a painful injury which pushed her kneecaps up into her thighs. She had to learn to walk again after surgery and is still in rehabilitation after a long recovery journey, which includes courses at the RBL's recovery centre. She did the RBL's Pedal to Paris cycle ride to thank the charity, saying: "When I suffered this injury, my world was shattered."
Gavin Sherry, 69, dad-of-five, from Shropshire, developed PTSD serving in the Army during the Troubles in Northern Ireland, and has since experienced health and mobility issues until turning to the RBL for help. The RBL’s recovery centre gave him a new zest for life and helped him take up activities again. “I would say to anyone who has served or is serving, don’t be afraid to ask for help. It’s not only improved my outlook but also helped me with my family including my son who I now enjoy taking fishing when I can.”
Jason Paul, 38, Dad-of-two, from Chester, was deafened in a roadside blast in Afghanistan which ended his 10-year military Army career and his life spiralled downwards. He talks about losing friends: ‘I know a least 20 lads who have taken their own lives, I’ve been to too many funerals.’ Jason was saved from homelessness by the RBL and is walking 420 miles from Chester to London to raise money for the Poppy Appeal. He said: ‘I’d be on the streets if it wasn’t for the RBL.’ From short-term relief to lifelong support, poppy donations enable the RBL – the UK’s largest Armed Forces charity - to help in ways tailored to the Armed Forces community’s unique needs and circumstances."
“The Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal brings the nation together and helps us raise vital funds needed to support the Armed Forces community. This year we’re highlighting how, when a veteran’s life falls apart, the RBL will always be there to help rebuild it in ways tailored to the Armed Forces community’s unique needs and circumstances.
"Every day, ex-service personnel and their families come to the Royal British Legion for support when they become overwhelmed with issues including addiction, debt, homelessness, PTSD and relationship breakdowns. When something goes wrong, the RBL is there to help rebuild lives and provide members of the Armed Forces community with the support they need to create a better future.”
Lucy Inskip, Poppy Appeal Director at the Royal British Legion
The Royal British Legion’s support to those in need is made possible by the generous donations of the public and the 50,000 Poppy Appeal collectors and volunteers who dedicate their time each year to helping fundraise across the country.
Every year, through specialist services and urgent support, the RBL is making a difference to lives across the Armed Forces community. Last year it provided £12 million in welfare grants to support over 22,000 people including £1.4 million in food and clothing vouchers and £5 million spent on housing issues. It also provides funding to Shelter to help with veteran homelessness and to Combat Stress to support veterans with mental health challenges.
From risking their lives in war zones to spending time away from their families, and providing support during emergencies and humanitarian disasters, service life in Britain’s Armed Forces comes with a unique set of challenges for veterans and their families.
RBL’s range of services, scale, and partner network means it can support those facing multiple and complex challenges from mental and physical recovery programmes, help with finances, housing, and adapting to civilian life, to building camaraderie.