Help turn Jersey red

Thursday 10 April 2014

Young Islanders are being encouraged to take part in a national campaign to plant poppy seeds and help make the British Isles red in remembrance of the Great War.

Primary schoolchildren, clubs and associations are being given the seeds by De Gruchy’s Funeral Care who are supporting this year's poppy campaign ahead of August’s centenary milestone.

De Gruchy’s is part of the Channel Islands Co-operative Society who have starting selling packets of seeds in their shops and will be donating the profits to the Appeal.

De Gruchy’s Funeral Care Manager Gary Tye said: ”We are delighted to be supporting such a worthy campaign. Being an ex serviceman myself, I have great admiration for the work of The Royal British Legion in providing financial, social and emotional care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces and their families, past and present. I hope as many islanders as possible take part in this campaign and in doing so help us raise money for this year's Islands Poppy Appeal.”

Chairman of the Jersey branch of the Poppy Appeal Jan Egre said: “This year we remember the First World War and the millions who lost their lives during that horrific conflict. The Royal British Legion was formed as a result to give care and support to those maimed and bereaved.

“The Poppy Appeal is the major single source of revenue for the RBL and sadly each year more people come to the Legion for help. Daily we read of young servicemen and women employed in peacekeeping duties in many parts of the world, often in considerable danger, and this means that there will always be a need to provide help for them and their dependants, when they themselves no longer can.”

There are now over nine million veterans, serving personnel and their dependants who call on the RBL for help.