Hayley Launches Poppy People Drive

[drew]

Press Association

Forces' sweetheart Hayley Westenra launches the Royal British Legion's drive to attract a new generation of poppy sellers.

The soprano will join six Army officers from the University of London Officer Training Corps at Leadenhall Market, east London, to unveil the Poppy People campaign.

A spokesman for the charity said: "The aim of this year's Poppy People campaign is to recruit a new generation of volunteer collectors, injecting youth and vitality for the legion's coming Poppy Appeal."

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As promised by Hayley on Twitter last night.

[drew]

Royal British Legion

Forces Sweetheart soprano Hayley Westenra, will launch The Royal British Legion's Poppy People recruitment drive at Leadenhall Market this Wednesday 16th September at Noon.

Westenra will be joined by six Army Officers from the University of London Officer Training Corps, who will attend The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst upon graduation.

The aim of this year's Poppy People campaign is to recruit a new generation of volunteer collectors, injecting youth and vitality for the Legion's coming Poppy Appeal.

Last year some 300,000 Poppy People helped the Legion raise a record £31 million for the Appeal. However, new collectors are always welcome. In London alone, at least a further 1000 are needed to meet the ever increasing demand.

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Did you make it Richard?

[Richard]

Hello Drew!

I found that article on the Royal British Legion's website this morning but decided not to go. As a non-photographer I wouldn't normally attend events that are primarily for the press, although Hayley selling poppies at Waterloo Station last year was something completely different. Hopefully there should be some reports and photographs by tomorrow.

Richard

[drew]

Poppy Appeal

Hayley Westenra and officer cadets launch Poppy People 2009

16 September 2009

Classical musician Hayley Westenra, 'The Armed Forces Sweetheart' today launched The Royal British Legion's Poppy People recruitment drive at Leadenhall Market in London.

Westenra, a staunch supporter of The Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal, was joined by six Army Officers from the University of London Officer Training Corps.

Westenra said: "I'm proud to be able to support the Legion's Poppy Appeal again this year and I would urge everyone to give the Legion a call and pledge their support by becoming a Poppy Person for the Appeal."

The aim of this year's Poppy People campaign is to recruit a new generation of volunteer collectors, injecting youth and vitality for the Legion's coming Poppy Appeal. The Poppy Appeal is the Legion's principal way of collecting the welfare funds that are used to provide financial, social and emotional support to the serving and ex-Service community. Poppy People - the army of volunteer collectors, who give anything from two hours to two weeks of their time to distribute poppies and collect on streets, shops and in workplaces across the country - are crucial to the success of the Poppy Appeal. Last year, Poppy People helped the Legion raise a record £31 million for the Appeal.

Second Lieutenant Michael Townsend of The Rifles Volunteers said: "This is my second year collecting for the Poppy Appeal. Poppy People are vital to the success of the Appeal which aims to help those who Serve or have Served in the British Armed Forces."

Russell Thompson OBE, the Director of National Events and Fundraising explains that although the Legion has some 300,000 Poppy People nationwide, new collectors are always welcome. In London alone, at least a further 1000 are needed to meet the ever increasing demand.

"Our existing Poppy People are extremely dedicated, but in order for the Appeal to be even more successful than in previous years, we must constantly develop and enhance that committed band of volunteers to include young, enthusiastic people who have a real passion for our Armed Forces and for the work of The Royal British Legion.

"I believe we have the potential, with the support of the great British public, to make this year's Poppy Appeal the most successful to date, as long as those volunteers step forward."

If you are interested in being a Poppy Collector, find out more here or email Poppy People (please include your postcode).

© The Royal British Legion 2009.

[Jillian]

Wow, The RBL is certainly on the ball when it comes to uploading pictures fast! Thanks! Hayley looks quite nifty in her beret, doesn't she? i.postimg.cc/9fYxy370/smilie-big-grin.gif

[Jillian]

[Jillian]

[Martin]

Wow, now that's what I call breaking news

Hayley looks gorgeous but dignified in her "themed" dress for this occasion.

Well done Hayley, you're a credit to the British Legion and all servicemen.

Martin

[Jillian]

[grant]

Hello everyone

Wonderful pictures! Hayley always manages to look the part whatever she is doing and today was no exception.

As Martin so eloquently put it "gorgeous but dignified".

Had other commitments, otherwise I might have tried to get down there.

Good luck with the campaign Hayley!!

Best wishes
Grant

[larryhauck]

How could anyone resist contributing with Hayley holding the money jar?

Larry

[drew]

BBC

Soprano's plea for poppy sellers

Hayley helped launch last year's appeal from Basra in Iraq's war zone.
Soprano Hayley Westenra has launched this year's Poppy Appeal with a plea to recruit a "new generation" of sellers.

She joined trainee Army officers at London's Leadenhall Market to encourage volunteers, especially youngsters, to come forward.

The Royal British Legion said an extra 1,000 volunteers were needed in the capital alone to meet growing demand.

About 300,000 volunteers helped raise a record £31m last year for members of the Armed Forces and their families.

War zone

New Zealand singing star Hayley, 22, said: "We're really hopeful that this year more young people will get involved and will volunteer to go out on the streets and sell poppies.

"I think people forget that the Royal British Legion are not only serving ex-servicemen and women but, very importantly, they are also supporting in-servicemen and women.

"These people are my age - they are in their 20s - and I think they really need their peers' support."

Hayley flew out to Basra in Iraq to sing to soldiers at last year's appeal launch - the first from an active war zone.

This year's appeal will be officially launched next month.

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[Richard]

I'm pleased to see that Hayley remembered to set the leaf of her poppy to 11 o'clock. I mentioned that to her at Waterloo Station last year.

Richard

[sharon]

Are these 'poppy's' paper flowers or something?
So I do not know what it is, but I remember everyone was wearing or having these poppy's when I was in London. Is it a tradition?

Sharon

[jimg]

Hi Sharon,

They are indeed artificial flowers. They represent the poppies that grew in the battle fields of the First World War. They are made by the British Legion and sold before Remembrance Sunday (The closest Sunday to November 11th ) when we remember those who have died or been injured in service of our country.
The proceeds from the sale are used by the British Legion to help ex-service men and women who have been injured in conflict.

Jim