Poppy Appeal breaks all records
A town's poppy appeal has smashed all records for the second year running.
The Ellesmere and District branch of the Royal British Legion has revealed that more than £15,500 was raised in the three weeks leading up to Remembrance Sunday, last month – over £2,500 more than the total donated in the whole of the financial year to the end of September.
“Absolutely staggering,” was the reaction of appeal organiser Caroline Ford. “It’s hard to believe that we raised so much money in such a short time, especially when we’re living through a cost-of-living crisis.
“It says so much about the warm-hearted generosity of the people of this area and how much they value and appreciate the sacrifices made by our armed forces in keeping the country safe and secure.
“It’s difficult to find the right words to express the Legion’s gratitude, so I will simply say a huge thank-you to everyone who bought a poppy and to the wonderful team of 27 volunteers who worked so hard to help with fund-raising, together with the Army Cadets.”
More than £7,400 was raised at the Legion’s poppy merchandise stall operated by volunteers at Tesco’s Ellesmere store every day throughout the appeal.
A further £4,400 came from the 40 collection boxes placed in local shops, pubs and other businesses, and via schools and churches. The Legion’s annual Poppy Concert in the town’s Comrades’ Club raised more than £600, and the Mere Motors service station collected nearly £1,000 from customers.
“It’s been a fantastic community effort that’s exceeded our wildest expectations,” said Bob McBride, chairman of the Legion’s Ellesmere and district branch. “We really appreciate every single contribution. We’re also very grateful to the local business community, schools and churches and other organisations for their support and to Tesco for kindly hosting our merchandise stall.”
“It’s also a reflection of Caroline’s hard work and organisation that we’ve done so well, particularly with more volunteers giving their support and more people donating digitally, using their bank card.
“We still have nearly ten months of fund-raising ahead before the current appeal closes, and with celebrations in 2025 to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the 2nd World War, we’re hoping to boost our total even further.
There are still many military veterans and families from that terrible war who need the Legion’s help—and also from later conflicts in Korea, Kenya, Cyprus, the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as current service personnel.
“Rest assured, the money raised locally through the Poppy Appeal will do enormous good in supporting those who’ve suffered physical and mental trauma, or fallen on hard times as a result of what they’ve been through.
For more information, please contact John Shone, Ellesmere and District Royal British Legion, 01691 624514
