Post by stevemacdonald on Oct 23, 2008 0:02:22 GMT
Here's an interesting new story from Sky News involving Hayley:
Poppy Appeal Launches In Iraq
9:47pm UK, Wednesday October 22, 2008
The annual Poppy Appeal is being launched in Basra today.
Poppy Man, the symbol of support for the British Armed Forces personnel past and present, and their families, will visit troops based in the Iraqi city.
Director of National Events and Fundraising, Russell Thompson OBE said it is fitting that the Poppy character should be in the country.
Speaking from Basra, he said: "Poppy Man is here to let them know that the thoughts of British people are very much with the 4,500 British Armed Forces personnel in Iraq and nearly 8,000 others in Afghanistan during this year's Poppy Appeal."
Appearing with Poppy Man is soprano Hayley Westenra, the "Kiwi Songbird," who will raise morale with a performance of songs from her hit albums Treasure and Pure.
The 21-year-old said she was a bit nervous about coming to Basra initially, "but the gallant welcome I've received has more than made it worthwhile".
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Armistice which brought an end to the First World War.
The 2008 appeal is keen to throw the torch to the new generation.
The Royal British Legion hopes to exceed last year's record sum of £30m.
Around 10.5m serving and ex-Service people and their families are eligible for the Legion's range of welfare services, which include grant-making to those in need, pensions and benefits advice, counselling and job retraining, home and hospital visits as well as the provision of full nursing care.
The Poppy Appeal takes place in the two-week period running up to Remembrance Sunday on November 9 and Armistice Day on November 11, when the Nation pauses for a two-minutes silence to remember those who sacrificed their lives during service for their country.
Poppy Appeal Launches In Iraq
9:47pm UK, Wednesday October 22, 2008
The annual Poppy Appeal is being launched in Basra today.
Poppy Man, the symbol of support for the British Armed Forces personnel past and present, and their families, will visit troops based in the Iraqi city.
Director of National Events and Fundraising, Russell Thompson OBE said it is fitting that the Poppy character should be in the country.
Speaking from Basra, he said: "Poppy Man is here to let them know that the thoughts of British people are very much with the 4,500 British Armed Forces personnel in Iraq and nearly 8,000 others in Afghanistan during this year's Poppy Appeal."
Appearing with Poppy Man is soprano Hayley Westenra, the "Kiwi Songbird," who will raise morale with a performance of songs from her hit albums Treasure and Pure.
The 21-year-old said she was a bit nervous about coming to Basra initially, "but the gallant welcome I've received has more than made it worthwhile".
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Armistice which brought an end to the First World War.
The 2008 appeal is keen to throw the torch to the new generation.
The Royal British Legion hopes to exceed last year's record sum of £30m.
Around 10.5m serving and ex-Service people and their families are eligible for the Legion's range of welfare services, which include grant-making to those in need, pensions and benefits advice, counselling and job retraining, home and hospital visits as well as the provision of full nursing care.
The Poppy Appeal takes place in the two-week period running up to Remembrance Sunday on November 9 and Armistice Day on November 11, when the Nation pauses for a two-minutes silence to remember those who sacrificed their lives during service for their country.
