Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal 2023 launched with a new plastic-free poppy
The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal 2023 has launched with a new plastic-free poppy that’s recyclable at home.
The annual fund-raiser calls for the public to ‘wear a poppy and show you care’ for the Armed Forces community and raises vital funds to support veterans, serving personnel and their families all year round.
The Royal British Legion launched its 2023 Poppy Appeal on Thursday 26th October 2023, with the public able to get hold of its newly designed plastic-free poppy for the first time.
The 2023 plastic-free poppy is the first redesign of the iconic symbol of Remembrance in 28 years. There have been more than ten versions of the poppy since 1921.
The plastic-free poppy is entirely made from paper and can be recycled in household collections. It no longer has a plastic stem or centre, and can be fastened with a pin, worn in a buttonhole or a stick-on version is available.
The launch of the RBL’s Poppy Appeal marks the start of the national period of Remembrance, when the nation wears the poppy to remember the service and sacrifice of the Armed Forces. Members of the public will be able to get their poppy – the original version or the new plastic-free version – from thousands of volunteers across the county, or from major supermarkets.
All funds raised from the Poppy Appeal will be used by the RBL to support veterans and their families, from help with the cost of living, employment and housing, to support with recovery after trauma or illness.
Josephine Biss, Deputy Mayoress of Princes Risborough, was one of the first people to wear the new poppy, which is completely recyclable. Josephine said: ‘I love the new plastic-free version, but while the poppies have changed, the meaning stays the same. Wearing your poppy shows you care, and that the service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces community will never be forgotten.‘
Director of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, Andy Taylor-Whyte said: ‘We want to encourage as many people as possible to get a poppy this year and show their gratitude and support to those in the Armed Forces whose service and sacrifice should never be forgotten. We’re so proud that this year, we have our new plastic-free poppy too, so that the public can wear this poignant symbol of Remembrance, with less impact on the environment.
Since the first Poppy Appeal in 1921 to today, public donations have provided a lifeline for service people and their families, and last year, we helped more than 27,000 people in the Armed Forces community.
As a veteran myself, I am grateful to the public for digging deep to get a poppy. Donations enable us to support veterans, and servicemen and women all year-round while wearing a poppy shows them you care.‘
Further information or to donate to the Poppy Appeal can be found on the Royal British Legion website at rbl.org.uk.
*Source of information : Press release from the Royal British Legion.
