Volunteers needed in Buckinghamshire to help run the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal
The UK’s biggest armed Forces charity, the Royal British Legion, is appealing for new volunteers to help run its annual Poppy Appeal in Buckinghamshire and raise vital funds to help veterans, current serving personnel and their families, who have served and sacrificed for their country.
The charity, which organises the Poppy Appeal every October and November, relies on more than 3,500 dedicated volunteers to help deliver the appeal across the UK each year and they are seeking new volunteers across the county and in need of a Poppy Appeal Organiser in Wycombe Marsh.
The 2023 Remembrance poppy has been given a make-over and will now be completely plastic-free and easily recycled. The new poppies will be sold alongside stock of the original poppy.
Volunteers help to distribute poppies within their communities – nearly 35 million across the UK – and can take on a range of roles including Poppy Appeal Organisers who lead a team of dedicated volunteers in their area.
The Royal British Legion says all volunteers will be fully trained and the role can help people develop skills such as public speaking and building confidence, and will allow you to make new friends, and be part of a national appeal, which is giving back to the many people in the armed forces who have served and sacrificed.
Further information about being a volunteer can be found by contacting the Royal British Legion on a dedicated helpline 0345 845 1945 or online at rbl.org.uk/poppyappealvolunteer.
The money raised from the poppy appeal can make a vital difference to people in the Armed Forces community. In Buckinghamshire, the charity has helped the Armed Forces community from the area in a range of ways, from mental health support, help with recovery, advice on gaining employment, housing help and managing the cost of living.
Daniel Bingley, from Milton Keynes, received support from the RBL thanks to the donations raised during Poppy Appeal and said: ‘The Legion provided great support when I needed it most, from funding my family to come out to the Invictus Games to providing benefits and money advice, they have always been there with any queries I have had as a veteran and, most importantly, knowing that the RBL are there for life as a veteran is a great comfort if I am in need of further help.‘
Poonam Vaja, Community Fundraiser for the Royal British Legion in Buckinghamshire, said: ‘We would encourage anyone who is interested in volunteering for the Poppy Appeal to get in touch with us to find out more.
If you are looking for a more active part in the Appeal, we would love to have you as the Poppy Appeal Organiser for areas within the region. These roles are crucial to delivering the Appeal in the county and includes distributing poppy boxes, organising a team of dedicated volunteers, and counting money.
You will be fully supported in the role, including receiving training before the Poppy Appeal.
If you are well organised with excellent time management, capable of leading a small team, able to build key relationships and have strong verbal and written communications, a Poppy Appeal Organiser role may be perfect for you.‘
The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal was first held in the aftermath of the First World War in 1921, where red silk poppies were sold, raising over £106,000.
Today the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal is the charity’s biggest fundraising campaign and takes place every year in the run up to Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.
Further information about getting involved with volunteering for the Poppy Appeal can be found at rbl.org.uk/poppyappealvolunteer or by calling 0345 845 1945.
*Source of information : Press release from The Royal British Legion.
