The Royal British Legion in Cumbria is preparing to celebrate the organisation’s centenary with a Poppy Appeal that will be boosted by a special bus.
It will also be a chance for Poppy Appeal collectors to get back out into the community.
Stagecoach’s poppy bus is back on the road to highlight the importance of this poignant time of year ahead of events in November.
And, as the Royal British Legion celebrates its centenary this year, it is also a reminder of the work the charity does to support serving and ex-serving personnel and their families.
Alan Whitmore, community fundraiser for the Royal British Legion in Cumbria and the Isle of Man, said: “Thanks a lot to Stagecoach for doing another amazing job with the bus wrap – how fantastic.
“We’re really grateful. When you get things like this bus it’s such a fresh look at what we do, it helps to bring a very fresh dynamic to our messaging across the whole stretch of demographic of age groups.
“One of the long lost myths is that of the number of young people that we help and assist. Our welfare programmes are helping one in nine members of the population that need our help.
“That is not just the elderly generation, we are supporting families and younger people, maybe those who served in Afghanistan on tour who have PTSD.”
As the bus is constantly on the move within the community, it will enable the Poppy Appeal to reach a broader range of people who may not see collectors on the streets or in stores.
In particular, the Royal British Legion are hoping that the bold design will catch the eye of younger people and young professionals on their commute to prompt them to go out and get their poppy.
“People always notice advertisements on public transport, so it means an awful lot to us,” said Mr Whitmore.
“It’s easy for younger people to forget but then you see the sign on the bus and you think ‘oh, I must go and get my poppy’.”
Although some events might be more low-key again this year due to COVID-19, this eye-catching display of support will bring to the mind of those who see it the core message – remembrance.
Among those events taking place this year is the Poppy Appeal shop that has been set up in the Lanes in Carlisle.
Volunteers will be manning the shop that is packed full of poppy related items from October 30 to November 13.
A whole host of events will be held in Carlisle throughout the week including the laying of poppy crosses on war graves in Carlisle Cemetery on November 11, a Festival of Remembrance at St Cuthbert’s Church on November 12, and a wreath laying ceremony in the city centre on November 14.
Any veteran (wearing medals or a veterans badge), serving personnel in uniform, or those with proof of military ID will be allowed free travel on Stagecoach buses on November 11 and the following Remembrance Day Parade Sunday if it does not fall on November 11.
Stagecoach employs a lot of former service personnel, so not only does the new bus encourage members of the public to think about sacrifices made by the armed forces, Mr Whitmore says “it says a lot to them and supports them in their acts of remembrance.”
The business launched a veterans network in the summer to provide support for ex-serving personnel, and families of those currently serving, who work for Stagecoach.
Rob Jones, Managing Director of Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire, said: “We are pleased to be able to show our support for the Poppy Appeal and the Royal British Legion by bringing the poppy bus back for another year.
“As the Royal British Legion is celebrating 100 years this year, it is more important than ever for us to highlight the importance of the work it does and to remind everybody to get involved by purchasing a poppy.”
Carlisle Remembrance events
Thursday, November 11
Armistice Day – National Silence – City Memorial (Carlisle Greenmarket)
11am Mayor of Carlisle Pamela Birks will join veterans at the City War Memorial to mark the two minutes’ silence for Armistice Day. The Remembrance Service will involve veterans and local school children.
1.30pm Laying of poppy crosses on war graves in Carlisle Cemetery (the service will be held at the World War One memorial)
Coun Birks is inviting the public to join her at a short service to lay poppy crosses on war graves in Carlisle Cemetery. This is the culmination of the laying of over 200 crosses on every war grave in the cemetery and a total of 400 in the various cemeteries in Carlisle.
Friday, November 12
Festival of Remembrance
Doors open at 6.30pm for 7pm event, St Cuthbert’s Church and is a ticketed event. Tickets are free and are available from the Carlisle Tourist Information Centre.
Remembrance Sunday, Sunday November 14
11am, City Memorial, City Centre (Greenmarket)
Coun Birks will lead the Remembrance Day wreath-laying Ceremony, when the two minutes’ silence will be observed, and a wreath will be laid by the mayor.
Former servicemen and women are invited to form up at Paternoster Row at 10.30am ready to march to the War Memorial in Greenmarket for the service. Those wishing to lay wreaths should report to the Crown and Mitre at 10.15am. All welcome.
2.30pm The County Remembrance Service – Cenotaph, Rickerby Park
The chair of Cumbria County Council, Councillor Tony Markley will join the Lord Lieutenant, High Sheriff and other dignitaries including Coun Birks to attend a Remembrance Day wreath-laying ceremony, organised by the Royal British Legion (Cumberland and Westmorland County Branch) and Cumbria County Council. All welcome to attend.
More details about Remembrance services in Workington and Harrington here
