Following the success of last year’s Poppy Appeal, where community volunteers organised by local MP’s constituency office rallied to the WHTimes call for help, £3,221-96p has been raised from collections at ASDA Hatfield.
Local MP Grant Shapps has played a wider role in the Appeal, from launching the Hatfield Poppy Appeal at the Galleria, to participating in a 5km ‘Poppy Run’ in WGC. Grant has always been personally supportive of the RBL, and thanks to his work and raising awareness the Hatfield Appeal’s collection increased by 50% in 2013 and looks set to smash targets once again this year.
The support from the local community has been overwhelming, and Grant would like to thank the ASDA Management Team in Hatfield, for their help in the local poppy collection, and extend his gratitude to the local shoppers of ASDA. Grant would also like to warmly congratulate Elaine Foreman on her extremely successful first year as the Poppy Appeal Organiser for Hatfield.
At a local Poppy Appeal awareness event, Grant Shapps said, “It’s fantastic that at such a busy time of year, everyone has found the time to stop and remember one of the most important historical events, especially in the centenary year of the start of the Great War. Through the work of the RBL veterans and their families receive support year-round, and the simple purchase of a Poppy is a great way of helping. Well done to all the volunteers that helped!”
The Royal British Legion is the nation's largest Armed Forces charity providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. Every single day the Royal British Legion needs to raise £1.6 million to fund it caring services. It is also the national Custodian of Remembrance and safeguards the Military Covenant between the nation and its Armed Forces. It is best known for the annual Poppy Appeal and its emblem, the red poppy. www.britishlegion.org.uk