From Kirkwall to Kirkcudbright thousands of volunteers took to streets, shopping centres and supermarkets for the final day of fundraising for the 2021 Scottish Poppy Appeal. The nation fell silent in sombre reflection and pause for the Two Minute Silence of Remembrance Sunday, but the day that precedes this, known as Poppy Saturday, saw an army of volunteer collectors make one final push to raise vital funds to support the Armed Forces community.
2021 marks 100 years of the poppy as our national symbol of remembrance so this year’s Poppy Appeal has taken on even greater significance. After the Covid-19 pandemic led to a 28% drop in cash donations to the 2020 Appeal, the fine weather on Poppy Saturday saw streets filled with shoppers enthusiastically donating once again.
Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising and Learning at Poppyscotland, said:
“The response we have had to the centenary Appeal, not just on Poppy Saturday but throughout the past three weeks, has been wonderful. On behalf of Poppyscotland, and the Armed Forces community that we support, I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who gave so generously.
“It has been especially pleasing to see such determination from our volunteers to get back to face-to-face collections again, after so many were forced to stay at home last year because of the pandemic. Without them, the Scottish Poppy Appeal simply couldn’t happen.”
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 and mobility.
