Banbury’s Poppy Appeal launched
26/10/2023
The money raised will go to armed forces personnel who find themselves facing hardship, injuries or bereavements
This year’s Poppy Appeal in North Oxfordshire launched today with Sir Tony Baldry buying the first poppy at Banbury Cross, in front of the First World War Poppy Soldier.
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.
Poppies can be bought around the area with volunteers overseeing the collections in Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrison’s.
Locally the Poppy Appeal is coordinated by Chris Smithson who’s the Chairman of the Royal British Legion in Banbury. Chris has been running the local appeal for 18 years and in his first year donations totalled £13,000. Last year’s appeal raised over £65,000 – making our area the most generous in Oxfordshire.
With less people using cash, this year’s appeal also offers people the option to pay by credit card. In addition at a number of high footfall areas QR codes will be on display, enabling a donation to the local appeal via mobile phones.
Events during the Remembrance period will include, as usual, a commemoration at the Alcan Remembrance Garden on the Amazon site on Friday November 10 at 10.45. A short service will be held on Armistice Day (Saturday 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.
Published: by the Banbury FM News Team
