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The Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal launches today, with organisers hoping to raise millions of pounds for former servicemen and women.
Around 40,000 volunteers will help to distribute more than 40 million poppies from shops and high streets all over the UK from now until Monday, November 11.
The annual fundraising drive commemorates those have have died in war while raising money for serving and former members of the armed forces and their families, and the sacrifices they have made.
With millions of people across the country wearing one in the build-up to Remembrance Sunday, here’s everything you need to know about the Poppy Appeal.
What is the Poppy Appeal?
First held in 1921, the Poppy Appeal helps members of the public pay their respects to the war dead and raises money for both current and former servicemen and women.
Poppies are worn because they are the flowers which grew on the battlefields after WWI ended.
The Royal British Legion, founded in 1921, is the charity which runs the Poppy Appeal each year and it gives the money to the service women and men who are still alive and whose lives have been changed by war.
The first appeal, which featured poppies made of red silk, was an instant success and managed to raise more than £106,000.
When does the Poppy Appeal start?
This year, the Poppy Appeal kicked off on Thursday, October 24.
Where to get a poppy from
The poppy will be distributed at a whole raft different locations across the UK, including at supermarkets, train stations, shops, high streets and online at poppyshop.org.uk.
You can donate to the Royal British Legion by buying a poppy here.
It sells for a suggested minimum donation of £1, with the proceeds providing veterans and their families with emotional and financial support.
You can also make an online donation by calling 0845 845 1945 or by texting POPPY to 70020 to donate £3.
What does a white poppy mean?
In recent years you may have seen a number of people wearing a white poppy instead of a red one.
The white poppy, first produced in 1933 by the Women’s Co-operative Guild, is a pacifist symbol designed to represent lasting piece.
The Peace Pledge Union, which distributes them today, say they “represent remembrance for all victims of war, a commitment to peace and a challenge to attempts to glamorise or celebrate war.”
What is London Poppy Day?
The Royal British Legion’s London Poppy Day will be held on Thursday, October 31.
Billed as the “largest one-day street collection of its kind in the UK”, around 2,000 people will be helping to raise more than £1 million for the charity.
A number of events will be held on the day and you can follow updates on social media with the #LDNPoppyDay hashtag.
