Norfolk families are being urged to get behind this year’s Poppy Appeal despite Remembrance Day events being cancelled.
The Royal British Legion have said this year’s Poppy Appeal is more important than ever, as the coronavirus pandemic has left ex-servicemen in “dire need of urgent help and support”.
Branches across Norfolk say they are expecting fewer donations this year due to the virus and reduction in poppy collectors.
But people are being asked to look out for local poppy stalls.
A spokesman from the Royal British Legion said: “The reduction in collectors makes running the Poppy Appeal much harder, but the Legion still has a job to do.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on people’s livelihoods and way of life, leaving some in the Armed Forces community in dire need of urgent help and support.
“Therefore, the Legion’s work is more vital than ever as we support people from all generations who have new hardships as a result of Covid-19 such as struggling with social isolation, financial difficulties and unemployment, losing loved ones or facing the threat of homelessness.
“We are so grateful for the support we’ve seen in the local area and we encourage people of the local areas to support us like never before, because every poppy counts.”
David Phillip-Pritchard, poppy appeal organiser for Cromer and District branch, said poppy availability will be reduced this year, but they will try to ensure everyone can get one.
He said: “Every poppy that is sold makes a difference to the lives of serving armed forces and those who have served.
“We will have a poppy stall within Morrison’s, in Cromer, for three days from Saturday October 24, Friday 30 and Saturday 31.
“I think we accepted early on that locally, regionally and nationally we will be down this year.
“So, it is more important than ever that people wear their poppies.”
In Great Yarmouth the town’s Remembrance Day event, which usually attracts crowds of around 3,000 people, has been cancelled.
But Michael Jeal, the mayor of the Great Yarmouth borough, has asked for families to support the Poppy Appeal, to place a poppy in their window and mark the two-minute silence from home.
The Royal British Legion in Thetford will be holding a poppy stall outside of the branch from Monday October 26.
John Waine, parade marshal in the town, said: “The legion spends an awful lot of money on the welfare side of ex-service personal and if we don’t get that money then their welfare budget is cut.
“I would encourage everybody to go out and buy a poppy.”
To find out where you can buy a poppy, contact your local Royal British Legion branch or visit the poppy shop online, here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here