Hundreds Visit Market Place for Henley Poppy Day
Market Place was abuzz with activity on Saturday with the return of Henley Poppy Day. The event, organised by the Poppy Appeal, is a staple of the Henley calendar in the run up to Remembrance Day.
Hundreds of people visited the Poppy Appeal’s stand to purchase their poppy ready for the Remembrance period. The stall was run by servicemen and women from RAF Benson, who volunteered their time for the event.
This year, Waterloo Band & Bugles of The Rifles were on hand to entertain with live music. The band, sponsored by Hof’s Bar and Blandy & Blandy Solicitors, played a number of songs to capture the attention of passers-by.
The Poppy Appeal is the largest fundraiser for the Royal British Legion. The funds raised by the campaign go towards upholding the welfare of the members of the British Armed Forces, veterans and their families.
Yanto Evans, Community Fundraiser for Oxfordshire’s Poppy Appeal, said, “The wearing of the poppy shows members of the Armed Forces and veterans that the public appreciates their sacrifice, and also the sacrifice a lot of their families make. There are children who don’t see their mum or dad for months on end, so there’s sacrifice from families as well. Remembrance and hope is what the poppy resembles. You’re wearing it to remember the sacrifice people have given, and also it’s to hope for peace.”
Sara Abey, Organiser of the Henley Poppy Appeal, said about Saturday’s Poppy Day, “Thank you, Henley. It was a fantastic day of fundraising, we were blessed with wonderful weather and several hundred people came to our poppy stall. I am immensely thankful to our amazing team of Poppy volunteers and RAF Officers for helping me organise and collect donations around the town. And I am very grateful to Hof’s Bar and Blandy & Blandy Solicitors for sponsoring the talented Waterloo Band & Bugles of The Rifles. The Bandleader, Serjeant Gary Hamilton, from Henley, and his fellow musicians made our Poppy Day very special.
“Remembrance Poppy Appeal is the Royal British Legion’s largest fundraiser that supports the welfare needs of our Armed Forces community. Our Henley community has always been a generous contributor, and on Henley Poppy Day it was wonderful to see this ongoing enthusiasm.”
Without volunteers, there would be no Poppy Appeal. If you have the time and would like to give something back to the Armed Forces, please contact Sara Abey at henley@saraabey.com
