Thursday 23 October 2014
Young and old unite to launch poignant Poppy Appeal
Poppy sellers in Cumbria are asking people in the county to help make this year’s appeal a record-breaking one
In the year that marks the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of World War One, members and volunteers from the Royal British Legion are hoping that they can smash last year’s appeal total of £430,000 by selling more poppies than ever.
This year’s Poppy Appeal in Cumbria was launched yesterday with a specially-organised show in The Lanes, Carlisle, “A Touch of Red” The Lanes Pays Tribute with pupils from Norman St School leading the way for a special performance and highlighting why support for ex-servicemen and women remains so vital.
Alan Whitmore, Cumbria’s fundraising manager for the Royal British Legion, set out a challenge to continue raising the total.
“We helped 200,000 people across the country last year. Our phones never stop ringing so buying a poppy is vital,” he said.
“We also spent the “best part” of £1m in Cumbria last year. That helps us provide family breaks, support for wounded soldiers who need medical support or helping veterans to re-train. The people of Cumbria are very generous.”
He added that in Carlisle specifically, the total has gone up from £50,000 to £90,000 in the last several years and believed even more was achievable.
“When you consider the economic climate and the size of Carlisle, that is an amazing achievement,” he said.
This year the legion’s key message is “Live On – to the memory of the fallen and the future of the living”.
They want to emphasise that the legion’s support is not just for veterans, but also their families and younger military personnel.
Among the launch guests was 90-year-old D-Day veteran Major Jos Mark, from Lowry Hill, Carlisle.
He said that this year’s appeal should take on extra significance thanks to the centenary of World War One.
“It does take on extra importance because it is in people’s minds. The population has been reminded of this and sacrifices that were made during the Great War. That’s when the legion was started, to support the people from that war.”
Starting off the show were children from Norman Street School in Carlisle.
They entered the stage area by singing Pack Up Your Troubles in Your Old Kit-Bag finishing their performance in front of the crowd.
Next up were a group of performers from city-based StagedRight, who took the crowd back in time with renditions of classic wartime songs such as It’s a Long Way to Tipperary and Vera Lynn’s We’ll Meet Again.
Among the quartet was 17-year-old Matthew Smith, from Lowry Hill, Carlisle.
“We have learned a lot about the wars, in particular what the conditions were like,” he said.
“It has made the whole subject more important to us. It has helped relate it to us. It also has put some fun on a serious subject meaning we are more interested in it all.”
The group also presented some letters written by soldiers during World War One to their families back home, giving a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made.
After the performance, it was the turn of local veterans to take centre stage.
Rising from their seats, they marched to the front of the ceremony area where they were commended by the crowd that had gathered in the shopping centre.
Rounding off the ceremony was Cumbria’s poppy princess Jodie Vasquez.
The 20-year-old from Currock, Carlisle, who suffered multiple organ failure, has been a big supporter of the Royal British Legion.
Her stepdad, Steve Farish, is ex-Royal Engineers and eligible for support from the legion. It has helped pay for building work to allow Jodie to live at home.
She said: “They helped me out when I was sick so I want to give something back.
“We need people to remember that it is there to support young people and families as well.”
Jodie officially launched the appeal by pinning a poppy onto David Jackson, the commercial manager of The Lanes.
Carlisle was also being represented at the national launch in London yesterday.
RAF veteran Sally Barber, of Linton Grove, Carlisle, was one of 48 volunteers who were standing guard over the Cenotaph in central London at different times from sunrise until sunset.
First published at 18:06, Friday, 24 October 2014
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk
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