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Banbury’s Poppy Appeal launched
27/10/2022
Despite the pandemic last year’s appeal raised over £54,000
This year’s Poppy Appeal in North Oxfordshire has launched today.
The annual appeal helps the Royal British Legion supporting serving and ex-serving personnel, veterans and their families, who find themselves facing hardship, injuries or bereavements.
Collection boxes have been placed at around 200 shops, warehouses, offices and eateries across the area. Teams of volunteers will oversee stalls at the main Sainsburys, Tesco and Morrison stores in Banbury.
Collectors will also be seen once again in the town centre. A special Poppy Appeal point at the bandstand in Banbury High Street will be set up this Saturday, with military vehicles on display.
Locally the Poppy Appeal is coordinated by Chris Smithson who’s the Chairman of the Royal British Legion in Banbury.
Last year’s appeal raised over £54,000, which was a massive achievement given the ongoing pandemic at the time. Mr Smithson has been running the local appeal for 17 years. In the first year donations totalled £13,000.
He said: “Banbury and the surrounding area is very supportive of the Royal British Legion. We normally raise the most in the county.
“We’ll be out there again collecting in all weathers!”
Those unable to get out to buy a poppy can also support The Royal British Legion online by visiting their Poppy Shop.
Events during the Remembrance period will include, as usual, a commemoration at the Alcan Remembrance Garden on the Amazon site on Thursday November 10. This will be attended by year 4 students from Hanwell Fields Community School. A short service will be held on Armistice Day (Friday November 11) at the War Memorial in People’s Park. Then on Sunday people will line the streets for the Remembrance Sunday parade in the town centre.
A few additional volunteers are being sought to help with the supermarket collections. Anyone who can help is asked to contact Chris Smithson on 07703 316945, or by email on c.smithson265@btinternet.com.
Published: by Banbury FM Newsteam