A NEW team is taking over the organising of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal in Lymm this year – led by local resident Jim Meldrum.
They are taking over from the team led by Linda Monk which is taking a well-earned rose after 10 years of stalwart service – including raising more than £20,000 last yearalone.
Boxes of poppies will soon by back in village shops, bars, hotels, restaurants, churches, schools and supermarkets
Thanks to the parish council, big red poppies will also be back on local lamp posts.
Mr Meldrum said: “Remembrance time is a very special time of year. It’s a time when we unite across faiths, cultures and background to remember those who have served and are serving their country in the armed forces and those who sadly never returned home to their families and friends.
“We pray for a peaceful world, but there are still so many conflicts raging around the world.
“In 2025, we’re asking you once again to wear your Poppy with pride. The Poppy remains the symbol of Remembrance. All those years ago in Flanders field the red Poppies grew, a reminder of the horrors that had gone before but also a symbol of Remembrance, Respect and Hope for the future.”
Last year Royal British Legion welfare teams supported 40,000 cases in a variety of ways. Twenty five per cent of grants went towards providing essentials such as food and clothing to ensure the Armed Forces community never had to go hungry or cold. The Admiral Nurses assisted over 1,000 new families living with dementia. More than 10 per cent of grants went into improving independence through mobility equipment and adaptations which helped to support disabled veterans and family members to live their lives to the fullest. The RBL Care Homes provided support for more than 800 people last year, either as residents or attending for day care. In addition, the RBL supported the work of several rehabilitation centres as well as The Battle Back Centre where £3000 could provide a veteran with the support they need to regain their independence via a multi-activity recovery course. Those funds raised by the Poppy Appeal also enabled our brave men and women to train and take part in the Invictus Games. The range of support that the Poppy Appeal finances is great and far reaching.
Mr Meldrum urges people to give generously when they see Poppy boxes are the community.
To sponsor a lamp post poppy email jwmeldrum@btinternet.co
For more information about the work of the British Legion visit www.britishlegion.org.uk
