2017 RBL Poppy Appeal
Lines of the renowned poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ have appeared in iconic locations as part of a campaign to launch this year’s Poppy Appeal.
Every year, The Royal British Legion raises funds for the Armed Forces community throughout the period of Remembrance in November.
This time, the charity aims to encourage the nation to rethink the meaning of the poppy by re-creating John McCrae’s poem around the UK.
The letters of the poem are made up of clusters of poppies which appeared at Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, on Dunkirk Beach, on the White Cliffs of Dover, at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, in Cardiff Bay, at Salford Quays in Manchester and outside the Sage in Newcastle.
Even though the poppy and the work of the Legion are often associated with the First and Second World Wars and elderly veterans, the charity is inviting the public to reconsider what the poppy stands for and to wear it in support of the current Armed Forces Community too.
‘In Flanders Fields’ was written after poppies bloomed on the battlefields of the First World War, despite the death and destruction around them.
The Royal British Legion’s Director of Fundraising Claire Rowcliffe said:
“The Poppy Appeal 2017 is encouraging the public to recognise that your poppy supports the Armed Forces community past and present, and is a symbol of both Remembrance and hope.
“The work of the Legion is as relevant and vital today as it was in the aftermath of the First World War when the charity was founded.
“The donation for your poppy will help the Legion support today’s Armed Forces community through hardships, injury and bereavements.
“We’re encouraging people to dig deep for this year’s Poppy Appeal to help us raise £47 million. The Legion’s work is entirely dependent on the public’s generous support – so please wear your poppy with pride.”
http://www.forces.net
