Due to Covid-19 restrictions, many volunteers have been unable to help with this year's Poppy Appeal and - like so many things - the Royal British Legion has had to adapt and create new ways for people to get a poppy. They are asking the public to support them like never before, because every poppy counts.
Each year, 40,000 volunteers make the Poppy Appeal happen. However many collectors fall into vulnerable categories, so it is simply not safe for them to do face to face collections. The same risk exists for many Poppy Appeal supporters, who can't leave their homes as they normally would to find a poppy.
How you can help
Virtual Poppy: Facebook has donated an augmented reality poppy filter for the Poppy Appeal this year, to be used on Facebook and Instagram. This filter places a poppy on the lapel of the user so anyone on social media can show their support for the Appeal in their Facebook and Instagram stories, whilst a donation sticker allows users and their followers to donate to this year's appeal. To find the filter, simply click this link for Instagram or this link for Facebook from your mobile phone, and then post this on your Facebook or Instagram stories.
Visit your local supermarket: Supermarkets including Sainsbury's, Tesco, Morrisons, Aldi, and Asda; online retailers including Amazon and Ebay; and Lloyds Bank and Santander are supporting this year's Poppy Appeal. There are a variety of cashless donation options at each location, with Morrisons and Sainsbury's also offering people the opportunity to add a donation to their shopping bill.
Donate online: When you donate online, you'll receive a link to a printable poppy which you can print off and place in your window to show others you're supporting the Poppy Appeal.
Text to donate: To donate £2 text POPPY2 to 70545. To donate £5 text POPPY5 to 70545. To donate £10 text POPPY10 to 70545.
My Poppy Run: Park run events which normally take place in October and November can't happen this year due to social distancing measures. Instead, you can join My Poppy Run, a virtual event - choose to run, jog, or walk, and maybe take along your four-legged friend too! Further details here.
Poppy Shop: The Poppy Shop has an extensive range of products, from iconic poppy pins and jewellery, to clothing, stationery, and homeware.
Poppies in the Post: Request 20 poppies in the post by completing this form. You can then give them to your friends and family and ask for a donation to support our Armed Forces Community.
Printable Poppy: An A4 poster of the iconic Remembrance Poppy is available here, so that you can print it off and display it at home, perhaps in your front window.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them; nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.
- Laurence Binyon
