Katherine launches Poppy Appeal

xcept · Last edited by xcept on Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:52 pm; edited 1 time in total

Katherine Jenkins joined forces today (26th oct 06) with The Royal British Legion to launch the 2006 Poppy Appeal at the Piazza in London’s Covent Garden. She will wore a dress made of 2,500 poppies, designed by two photography students who were inspired by the theme of Remembrance.

In her new role as Forces Sweetheart, Katherine spoke about the continuing importance of the Poppy Appeal today and the vital welfare support it provides to serving and ex-Service people from all conflicts.

Katherine said: “I’m honoured to be here today to help launch the 2006 Poppy Appeal. Eighty five years after the first Poppy Day, our brave Service men and women are still putting their lives on the line for us and they need to know that if they fall on hard times, the Legion will be there for them and their families. Today I’m calling on everyone to support the Appeal by giving generously and wearing their poppy with pride. Your donations are needed to support veterans of all conflicts right up to the present day.”

Katherine was joined by 25 year old Daniel Twiddy, just one of the thousands of young Service leavers who have benefited from Poppy Support - the Legion’s range of welfare services. In 2003, Daniel suffered terrible burns and shrapnel wounds when his tank was fired on in Basra, killing two of his comrades. His face and body were badly disfigured and he had to undergo more than 20 operations, including extensive skin grafts and plastic surgery. The Legion supported Daniel during this difficult time, supporting him with his War Disablement Pension claim and helping to pay for special moisturising treatment for his skin grafts.

Daniel explained:“Before I approached the Legion I had no idea that they could help young ex-Service people like me. Now I look at the Poppy in a new light, knowing the lifeline it provides to Service leavers like me.”

Katherine said: “This year the Legion is hoping to raise £26 million for its vital welfare work so please buy a poppy, or text POPPY to 85099 to get a Poppy download for your mobile phone.”

Every pound you donate can make a real difference:

- £5 can ensure that a housebound or hospitalised person receives a one hour friendship visit.

- £20 can help provide essentials like food, fuel, clothing or bedding to an ex-Service person and their family who have fallen on hard times.

- £50 can help an ex-Service person attend a vocational assessment course, to help them adjust to civilian life.

Poppies will be available from Saturday 28th October until Sunday 12th November. To find out more about the Legion’s work, or to volunteer please visit www.britishlegion.org.uk or www.poppy.org.

source:Royal British Legion

xcept · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:52 pm Post subject:

Students create Poppy Appeal dress from thousands of poppies

The dress to be worn by Forces Sweetheart, Katherine Jenkins at the 2006 Poppy Appeal launch today was designed by two young students at the University of East London, Lauren Grace Johnston (21) and Julian Greaves (22). Inspired by a commemorative ‘Poppy Drop’, they designed and created the extraordinary dress made of 2,500 poppies as part of their Photography degree. The dress also features in a Poppy Appeal poster, entitled ‘Liberty’, which they designed specially for The Royal British Legion.

The inspiration for this project came when Lauren and Julian witnessed the BBMF Lancaster flying down The Mall and dropping one million poppies over Buckingham Palace last year as a tribute to those who gave their lives during World War II. The poster and dress make up an entire exhibition, called ‘A Day To Remember’ which also includes a selection of poignant commemorative photographs.

Lauren and Julian said, “We wanted to create a fresh, unique and innovative design for the Poppy Appeal advertising campaign with images that would encourage more people to wear a poppy, to respect and to remember. Throughout this project we have become increasingly passionate about preserving the voice of history for future generations and we would like to thank The Royal British Legion, the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and our families for their continued support throughout this project.”

Russell Thompson, Director of Fundraising and Marketing at the Legion said, "On behalf of The Royal British Legion I’d like to say how delighted we are to see the creativity and hard work which has gone into this project and as a measure of our gratitude we have asked Katherine to wear the dress today. It reminds us of how important it is, in the current global situation, that the younger generation continue to remember the cost of war."

The exhibition ‘A Day to Remember’ opens at the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire on the 11th November 2006 with a private view from 3-7pm accompanied by a champagne buffet. Admission is free and all are welcome. The exhibition will run until Feb 2007 and is open Monday-Friday 10am-5pm.

For more information please visit: www.adaytoremember.org.uk.

Source: Royal British Legion

xcept · Posted: Thu Oct 26, 2006 10:04 pm Post subject:

Poppy appeal launch photo

for further pics....
CLICK HERE