Shropshire army veteran designs commemorative Remembrance poppy pint glasses for UK pub chain

A Shropshire artist has designed this year’s commemorative Poppy Appeal pint glasses for pub chain Marston’s.

Across November more than 1,100 Martson’s pubs are taking part in the Raise a Glass campaign, helping to raise funds and awareness for the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal.

At the heart of the campaign is a new collection of limited-edition commemorative glasses featuring exclusive artwork created by army veteran and award-winning Shropshire-based artist Jane Wilkes.

Available in pint (£3.50) and half-pint (£3.00) sizes, the glasses showcase Jane's striking interpretation of the poppy, alongside the words "We Will Remember Them".

For every glass sold, Marston's will donate £1.26 from each pint glass and £0.85 from each half-pint glass to the Royal British Legion. Last year the partnership raised more than £128,000 for the charity.

Jane, 50, from Shrewsbury, served for 15 years in the Adjutant General's Corps, completing operational tours in Macedonia, Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan.

During her final deployment she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer and flown home for treatment.

As she recovered, Jane found support through the Royal British Legion's Battle Back Recovery Centre before taking part in the charity's Recovery Through the Arts programme.

The experience helped her rediscover her confidence and creativity, and she has since gone on to become an award-winning artist.

Jane said: "It is a true honour to have designed Marston's and the Royal British Legion's commemorative glasses for this year's Poppy Appeal and to play a part in raising essential funds and awareness."

"The Royal British Legion supported me during one of the most difficult periods of my life, helping me rebuild my confidence and discover what I was still capable of after my treatment.

“Seeing my artwork brought to life on these glasses was incredibly special, and I hope people across the country will join me in raising a glass this November in support of veterans and the armed forces community."

Jen Monaghan, senior campaign and partnerships manager at Marston's, said: "Over the last two years, we've been incredibly proud of the support shown by our guests, pub teams and local communities for Raise a Glass."

"This year's glasses carry a powerful and deeply personal design from Jane, whose story perfectly demonstrates the life-changing impact of the Royal British Legion's work."

The limited-edition glasses will be available in participating Marston's pubs until November 11.