Scotland star helping veterans bounce back
Scotland and Edinburgh Rugby star Hamish Watson hopped to it yesterday to help launch a brand new family fundraiser in aid of leading Armed Forces charity Poppyscotland.
The Big Poppy Bounce will see supporters of all ages descend upon BT Murrayfield to climb aboard space hoppers and race 100 metres – for 100 years – to help our veterans bounce back into civilian life in the process.
The Big Poppy Bounce will take place over the back pitches at the iconic home of Scottish Rugby on Sunday, 19th August, and it is hoped the fun day out will raise in excess of £10,000 to support Poppyscotland’s life-changing work for the Armed Forces community living in Scotland.
Speaking at the launch, flanker Watson said: “This is a really great new event and one for an important cause. It has been a long time since I jumped on board a space hopper and I don’t remember it being so tough on the legs! I think the kids are definitely going to have the upper hand in the races.
“It is all for an incredibly worthwhile cause and I think it’s even more important in this centenary year that we got the extra mile to remember those that have made the ultimate sacrifice, and to help veterans who urgently need Poppyscotland’s support today.”
There will be a range of hopper races throughout the afternoon for all ages, including a family relay, along with fun family activities to suit the young and young-at-heart. There will be music and entertainment, cheerleading workshops, ice-cream, a selfie station, face painting and even a poppy quiz. It all starts at 11:30am on Sunday, 19th August.
Poppyscotland’s Head of Fundraising, Gordon Michie, said: “We have an ever-growing number of fundraising activities outwith the traditional Poppy Appeal period in November. Our Armed Forces community cannot wait until November for us to help, so it’s really important that we continue to introduce new events like this. This is the first event we’ve launched specifically targeted at families, and we hope they hop down to BT Murrayfield in their hundreds.”
Entry is £10 for adults and over-16s; £5 for those aged five-to-16; and free for the under-fives. Anyone who raises more that £50 in sponsorship will be able to take their specially branded Poppy Space Hopper home. For more information and to register, please visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/bounce.
ENDS…
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 findlay@poppyscotland.org.uk.
- Caption information: Rugby star Hamish Watson was joined at the launch of The Big Poppy Bounce at BT Murrayfield by sisters Olivia, 12, and Millie, nine, from Edinburgh Academy. Images are free to use. Where appropriate, please credit: M Owens/Poppyscotland.
- 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: poppyscotland.org.uk.
