Beacon of remembrance as Southwater transformed for launch of Poppy Appeal in Telford
Telford's landmark Southwater One building was transformed to mark the launch of this year's Poppy Appeal.
The annual Royal British Legion fundraiser launched in Shropshire on Thursday night.
To mark the event, Southwater One in Telford was illuminated with a light projection artwork of falling poppies by internationally renowned artist Andy McKeown, and saw performances by Cosford Military Wives Choir and Wellington Brass Band.
Telford Sea Cadets and 2379 Dawley Air Cadets accompanied by Dawley Branch Standard Bearer, also paraded on the evening.
The projection was switched on by Councillor Stephen Reynolds, the mayor of Telford & Wrekin.
He said: "We are very proud in Telford and Wrekin that Southwater has been chosen for the launch of the Shropshire Poppy Appeal.
“This year’s appeal is both remembering the fallen but also not forgetting the living. Wearing a poppy supports our Armed Forces community past and present. We have a strong Armed Forces community here in Telford and we are very proud of that.”
The poppy and the work of the legion are often associated with remembrance of the First and Second World Wars and elderly veterans, however the charity is calling on the public to reconsider what the poppy stands for and wear it in support of the Armed Forces community, past and present.
Jenny Robey, community fundraiser for the Shropshire Poppy Appeal said: "When you wear your poppy this year, we’re asking to you think of all the many and unexpected ways the Legion uses your donation to support the Armed Forces community. Veterans, Serving personnel and their families live in communities all across the UK, and the Legion’s work is happening all around you.
"We already recognise the poppy as a symbol of Remembrance but it is also represents hope. Thepoppy bloomed on the battlefields of northern Europe during the First World War despite the destruction, and it is that life force growing in the most difficult of circumstances that connects the poppy with the message of hope.
"The legion is that hope, and they are there wherever and whenever they are needed."
The fundraising target in Shropshire is £500,000 which will go towards the legion’s national target of £47 million to continue its vital work delivering practical, through life care and support to the armed forces community.
In the last year the generosity of the British public helped the legion answer more than 1,077,019 requests for help.
The legion uses donations to offer support in many ways including providing crisis grants, researching the long lasting impact of blast injuries on the body, lobbying the government on issues that affect our community, sport and art based recovery programmes and advising on benefits and money problems.
