The Royal British Legion in Cumbria is preparing to celebrate the organisation’s centenary with a Poppy Appeal that will be boosted by a special bus.
It will also be a chance for Poppy Appeal collectors to get back out into the community.
Stagecoach’s poppy bus is back on the road to highlight the importance of this poignant time of year ahead of events in November.
And, as the Royal British Legion celebrates its centenary this year, it is also a reminder of the work the charity does to support serving and ex-serving personnel and their families.
Alan Whitmore, Community Fundraiser for the Royal British Legion in Cumbria and the Isle of Man, said: “Thanks a lot to Stagecoach for doing another amazing job with the bus wrap – how fantastic.
“We’re really grateful. When you get things like this bus it’s such a fresh look at what we do, it helps to bring a very fresh dynamic to our messaging across the whole stretch of demographic of age groups.
“One of the long lost myths is that of the number of young people that we help and assist. Our welfare programmes are helping one in nine members of the population that need our help.
“That is not just the elderly generation, we are supporting families and younger people, maybe those who served in Afghanistan on tour who have PTSD.”
As the bus is constantly on the move within the community, it will enable the Poppy Appeal to reach a broader range of people who may not see collectors on the streets or in stores.
In particular, the Royal British Legion are hoping that the bold design will catch the eye of younger people and young professionals on their commute to prompt them to go out and get their poppy.
“People always notice advertisements on public transport, so it means an awful lot to us,” said Mr Whitmore.
“It’s easy for younger people to forget but then you see the sign on the bus and you think ‘oh, I must go and get my poppy’.”
Although some events might be more low-key again this year due to Covid-19, this eye-catching display of support will bring to the mind of those who see it the core message – remembrance.
Among those events taking place this year is the Poppy Appeal shop that has been set up in the Lanes in Carlisle. Volunteers will be manning the shop that is packed full of poppy related items from October 30 to November 13.
A whole host of events will be held in Carlisle throughout the week including the laying of poppy crosses on war graves in Carlisle Cemetery on November 11, a Festival of Remembrance at St Cuthbert’s Church on November 12, and a wreath laying ceremony in the city centre on November 14.
Any veteran (wearing medals or a veterans badge), serving personnel in uniform, or those with proof of military ID will be allowed free travel on Stagecoach buses on the 11th and the following Remembrance Day Parade Sunday if it does not fall on the 11th.
Stagecoach employs a lot of former service personnel, so not only does the new bus encourage members of the public to think about sacrifices made by the armed forces, Mr Whitmore says “it says a lot to them and supports them in their acts of remembrance.” The business launched a veterans network in the summer to provide support for ex-serving personnel, and families of those currently serving, who work for Stagecoach.
Rob Jones, Managing Director of Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, said: “We are pleased to be able to show our support for the Poppy Appeal and the Royal British Legion by bringing the poppy bus back for another year.
“As the Royal British Legion is celebrating 100 years this year, it is more important than ever for us to highlight the importance of the work it does and to remind everybody to get involved by purchasing a poppy.”
