Poppy Appeal
The Poppy Appeal is the Royal British Legion’s biggest annual fundraising campaign, bringing communities together each year to remember, honour and support the Armed Forces community.
Supporting the appeal
Here in Pudsey and Farsley, our branch is proud to support the Poppy Appeal locally through events, collections, fundraising activity and volunteer support during the appeal period.
The appeal is about more than wearing a poppy. It is a visible act of remembrance, a way to show support, and a vital source of funding for the Royal British Legion’s work with serving personnel, veterans and their families.
The history of the Poppy Appeal
The Poppy Appeal began in 1921, shortly after the formation of the British Legion.
The poppy had already become closely associated with remembrance after the First World War, inspired by the flowers that grew on the battlefields of the Western Front and by John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields.
The idea of using the poppy as a symbol of remembrance and fundraising was championed by Anna Guérin, a French lecturer and humanitarian who promoted the sale of artificial poppies to raise money for those affected by war. In 1921, she brought the idea to the newly formed British Legion.
The first Poppy Appeal was held that same year. The poppies sold out almost immediately and raised a remarkable amount of money to help First World War veterans with employment and housing.
More than a century later, the Poppy Appeal continues to help fund the Royal British Legion’s vital support for serving personnel, veterans and their families.
What the Poppy Appeal supports
Money raised through the Poppy Appeal helps the Royal British Legion provide lifelong support to the Armed Forces community.
That support can include practical help, financial assistance, recovery services, advice, welfare support, and help for families.
Every donation, every collection, every event and every volunteer hour helps make that work possible.
The Poppy Appeal in Pudsey and Farsley
Locally, the Poppy Appeal is made possible by volunteers, organisers, businesses, community groups and members of the public who give their time and support each year.
Pudsey & Farsley Branch supports the appeal through local events, fundraising activity and volunteer support during the appeal period.
We work alongside the wider local Poppy Appeal team to help make sure the appeal is visible in the community and that people have opportunities to support the Royal British Legion’s work.
Supporting local events
Our branch is especially involved in supporting local events connected to the Poppy Appeal and Remembrance.
This can include helping with stalls, collections, volunteer coordination and fundraising opportunities across the local area.
If you would like to invite the branch to support an event, or you are planning something locally that may connect with the Poppy Appeal, please get in touch as early as possible so we can discuss what may be possible.
Volunteer with the Poppy Appeal
The Poppy Appeal relies on volunteers.
Whether helping at an event, supporting a collection, giving out poppies, assisting with local fundraising or helping behind the scenes, volunteers play an important part in keeping the appeal active in our community.
If you would like to volunteer locally during the appeal period or at any of our events, please contact us using the form below or email:
appeal@pudseyfarsleyrbl.co.uk
Contact the Pudsey Branch Poppy Appeal team
For Poppy Appeal enquiries in Pudsey and Farsley, please use the contact form below or email:
appeal@pudseyfarsleyrbl.co.uk
Please include as much detail as possible, especially if your enquiry relates to an event, venue, business, volunteering or fundraising activity.
Where an enquiry needs to be handled by another local Poppy Appeal organiser, we will make sure it is passed to the appropriate person.
