The annual Poppy Appeal launches today, with RAF personnel set to join Royal British Legion collectors back on the streets after COVID-19 restrictions limited public engagements last year.
The Royal British Legion campaign theme, Every Poppy Counts, returns this year as well as services due to take place across the country before the annual National Service of Remembrance, at The Cenotaph in Whitehall on Remembrance Sunday, providing the nation with a physical reminder of all those that have served and sacrificed, with British and Commonwealth soldiers, sailors, airmen and women represented, together with members of the emergency services and civilians, ensuring that no-one is forgotten.
Celebrating 100 years of the Poppy Appeal, the Royal British Legion ensure veterans get the support they deserve when they leave the Armed Forces as well as helping serving families.
RAF personnel will also be showing their support for Remembrance by taking part in The Royal British Legion’s City Poppy Days, taking place around the country between 2nd to 9th November. Armed Forces personnel and Veterans will be in the nation’s capital to raise money for The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal at the London Poppy Day on Tuesday 4th November 2021 with personnel from across all three Services at London’s Mainline Railway, Thameslink and Underground Stations, selling poppies to raise money for the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
This year, RAF personnel have been explaining what the Poppy means to them and who they are wearing it for.
"My role in the Royal Air Force is an RAF Police Dog Handler. I wear the Poppy as it’s all about remembering those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to this country, including our Military Working Dogs. I am a firm believer that we should always continue to uphold their memories for the sacrifices that were made. The Poppy appeal is important as it helps not only serving members of the armed forces but our veterans who have served."
Corporal Higgs
RAF Police Dog Handler
The purple poppy is a symbol of Remembrance in the UK for animals that served and are serving. The symbol was created in 2006 based on the principle of the traditional red Remembrance Poppy for Remembrance Day.
"As the Warrant Officer of the Royal Air Force, I focus on the all welfare aspects of the RAF Whole Force community at home and overseas. The Poppy symbolises the ultimate sacrifice Service personnel made throughout history and to those who serve in our Armed Forces today. I wear a poppy to remember a wealth of history and as a member of the Armed Forces to show support to all Service personnel across Defence. 'Every poppy counts,' each Poppy sold makes a difference to the lives of our Armed Forces community. We must continue to remember the ‘fallen’, and take the reflect of those who have given their lives defending their respective countries.
Warrant Officer Alpert
Warrant Officer RAF
"I'm immensely proud to wear my poppy each year: it’s a poignant and overt reminder that the open and free society within which we live has been hard-won. I wear the poppy for all those that made the ultimate sacrifice in the defence of our freedoms, and for the families and friends who live with an impossible-to-fill gap in their lives because of these sacrifices. The Poppy Appeal is incredibly important because it reminds the nation annually of the debt of gratitude we owe to our Armed Forces, whilst raising much needed funds for those that need it in our veteran community."
Air Vice-Marshal Smyth
Director Space
The RAF will attend many Remembrance events in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday, which falls on 14th November this year and members of the Armed Forces around the world will mark the occasion. Today’s Armed Forces are inspired by their predecessors and continue the proud traditions of service and achievements of those who have gone before them.