Organisers of the Poppy Appeal have confirmed that overall sales are down from 2018’s ‘bumper year’ which commemorated the Centenary of the First World War.
Sales are also down on previous years.
Last year, around £195,000 was raised by the Poppy Appeal, of which £100,000 went to support the hundreds of Islanders who had served in the armed forces.
Organisers of the appeal said they think that a combination of the recent bad weather and the Rugby World Cup may have affected the number of Islanders visiting the shop in Piquet House at the Royal Square this year.
Alison Opfermann, Poppy Appeal Organiser, is now encouraging Islanders to stop and buy a poppy from one of the volunteers stationed across the Island, or visit the Poppy Shop.
Speaking about the appeal in the lead up to Remembrance Day on Sunday, Mrs Opfermann said that she wanted to remind people that the Legion was very much a ‘live organisation, not a dead one’.
‘The funds which go towards Islanders who served with the Army helps people with everything from very practical support such as medical treatment, through to funding adapted cars and homes. It also helps people and their families who need mental health support,’ Mrs Opferman said.
‘We really need people to remember to come out and support us this year.’
The Chelsea Pensioners, who arrived in the Island last Wednesday night, will also be out selling poppies in the lead up to Remembrance Day.
The Poppy Shop, which is open until 1pm on Saturday, is selling a range of poppy merchandise with some new additions to the collection, including Christmas cards among others.
The metal pins unique to each parish which commemorate the D-Day landings are also available at the shop
The traditional Remembrance Day service will be taking place this year at the Cenotaph. People are asked to arrive by 10.30am.
