Poppyscotland needs you! Scotland’s leading Armed Forces charity is searching for new volunteer Scottish Poppy Appeal Area Organiser (AO) to lead the fundraising push in a dozen key areas this year and beyond.
Poppyscotland Head of Fundraising Gordon Michie explains: “We’re looking for individuals, businesses, groups of friends, or community organisations that have good organisational skills to step forward to lead this year’s Appeal in a number of areas. Last year, these 12 areas accounted for more than £28,000 in collections, but, without your help, we will struggle to collect even a fraction of that amount and this will have a profoundly detrimental impact on our beneficiaries.”
The 12 areas in need of help are: Dunlop; Castlemilk & Carmunnock; Arrochar; Killean; Balnaguard; Balfron; Ballater; Bankfoot; Bonnybridge; Gargunnock; Broxburn; and the Macduff area.
Mr Michie added: “By volunteering for Poppyscotland you will be helping us transform the lives of veterans in Scotland, those currently serving, and their families who are in need. The money raised from the annual Poppy Appeal enables us to provide life-changing support to those affected by many issues including poverty, mental health problems and disability. Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and, without their vital support, we simply wouldn’t be able to run the Scottish Poppy Appeal.”
Mr Michie added: “Volunteering with us also offers some great benefits for you, too; our volunteers gain a real sense of achievement, immense pride and satisfaction by doing something worthwhile. It’s also a great opportunity to meet new people and have fun while giving something back, so, if this sounds like something for you, please do get in touch.”
One person who is keen to highlight the benefits of the role is Christine Evans, who has been a Poppyscotland Area Organiser since 2012. Christine said: “I’ve been an AO in Dunfermline for six years years and really enjoy the interaction with the general public at Poppy Appeal time.
“Also, working with a great bunch of volunteers is rewarding, especially knowing we are helping to support the veteran community in Scotland. I have found that the public are very much aware of what the Scottish Poppy Appeal stands for and, therefore, it’s not difficult to encourage people to contribute.”
And Christine’s advice to anyone thinking about becoming an Area Organiser for Poppyscotland is clear: “Just do it – no thought needed! You’ll be amazed by the support you receive – the businesses and public are lovely and I’d encourage anyone to get out there and meet them.”
Area Organisers form a 420-strong team covering every city, town and village in Scotland. They help the charity to pin more than five million poppies on to Scotland’s coats, jackets and jumpers. The Scottish Poppy Appeal raised more than £3 million last year thanks to the support of the public and the dedication of 10,000 volunteers, and for more information or to chat about this great opportunity, please contact Sally McNaught, Deputy Head of Fundraising at Poppyscotland, on 0131 550 1559 or 07941 851 589, or e-mail at volunteer@poppyscotland.org.uk.
Notes to editors:
- For further information please contact David A. Findlay, PR Manager at Poppyscotland, on 0131 550 1580 or 079797 35611, or email at d.findlay@poppyscotland.org.uk.
- Poppyscotland Area Organisers fulfil a critically important role, distributing poppies and tins two weeks before the annual Scottish Poppy Appeal and then collecting everything back in after 11th November, banking any money raised.
- Poppyscotland provides life-changing support to the Armed Forces community. Money raised from the Scottish Poppy Appeal and Poppyscotland’s year-round fundraising enables them to deliver support to members of the Armed Forces community in Scotland by providing tailored funding and assistance. The charity also funds services in advice, employment, housing, mental health, mobility and respite. Please note that we are known as “Poppyscotland”, and not “PoppyScotland” or “Poppy Scotland”. For more information, please visit us at: www.poppyscotland.org.uk
