WARWICKSHIRE APRIL 2015 Welcome to edition 2 of the new style PAO newsletter for Warwickshire. Shirley branch to host Warwickshire's Poppy Appeal launch 2015. Nationally the Poppy Appeal total is £41,915,908.20. Shirley branch are thrilled to be hosting this year's Poppy Appeal launch on Saturday 24th October 2015. More locally Warwickshire's Appeal is still highest performing in the region. Please see details below Warwickshire 827,762.43 Lincolnshire 823,404.08 Nottinghamshire 818,686.38 Derbyshire 763,444.72 South Staffordshire 711,141.70 Leicestershire & Rutland 605.060.47 North Staffordshire 472,402.45 Shropshire 415,048.49 Birmingham 399,177.37 Region total 5,231,067.62 Local Veteran, London Marathon runner and branch member Danny Wilson will run in to the event and deliver a huge poppy to symbolize the launch. . Plans by the branch are to organise a parade supported by the Shirley Pipe Band. Performance of an award winning drill display by Shirley Sea Cadets followed by a consortium of Shirley area schools performing a traditional Sailors' Hornpipe and other dance routines. Coventry hosts county launch in 2012 The display will take place outdoors in Parkgate Square, immediately outside the Shirley Club Atrium starting at 11:00. In addition, Shirley hopes to open their first Poppy Shop in Parkgate Square and display historic photographs in the Club Atrium. Creative Moments craft group raise £4k at NEC for Warwickshire Our PAO's, collectors and supporters are still flying the flag for the Legion raising money outside of the Poppy Appeal, by way of Rugby matches, concerts, talks, supporting larger community events and operating fundraising stalls to a VE Day tea dance. For those of you who wish to attend and support Shirley branch the adjacent shopping complex has an underground free car-park. Light refreshments will be provided in the club following the launch. Follow Warwickshire's Poppy Appeal Lisa Harrison [email protected] T: 02476 334241 M: 07717 421063 Page 1 WARWICKSHIRE LOCAL NEWS Danny gets on his London Marathon mark to get set and go for the Poppy Appeal He explained, "I am running the London Marathon 2015 and collecting sponsorship on behalf of The Royal British Legion to try to give something back to help people who may need the Legion's help and support". Lisa Harrison, Community Fundraiser said: “We are very grateful to Danny for taking on the marathon. It is an incredible experience and we wish him the best of luck,” she said, “Apart from the dedicated training that goes into preparing for the marathon, the fantastic fundraising that he is undertaking on behalf of the Poppy Appeal will make a real difference to the lives of those we support. If you would like to support Danny and sponsor his efforts please visit Danny's fundraising page, details below www.justgiving.com/DannyWilson78. Lord Lieutenant Poppy Appeal Awards Cadet Competition 2015 For the past 15 years Cadet Forces across the county have helped to raise money for the Poppy Appeal. Starting with just a handful of units raising hundreds of pounds the cadet Competition has now developed with 30 units participating raising in excess of £60,000 in 2014. Danny in training just completing a 9 mile run Shirley branch member Danny Wilson is in training to take on the London Marathon to raise funds for the Poppy Appeal. Danny will be one of the many runners taking part in the momentous challenge, which takes place in London on Sunday 26th April 2015. Danny joined the army in 1995 as an apprentice tradesman in the Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). He then went onto serve 8 years at various different units including the Irish Guards, Royal Dragoon Guards and Royal Engineers. Danny served 5 years in Germany in Hameln and Munster saw operational service in Kosovo in 1999 and endured a 6 month tour. Danny has taken part in several high profile military exercises across the world including Canada, Poland and Oman. He left the army in 2003 and has been a member of the Legion since then. Danny has seen first-hand the benefits that the Royal British Legion offers both current and ex-servicemen and women. He has friends and former comrades who have been seriously injured and killed on active service. Page 2 This year’s award ceremony will be held at Old Shire Hall (The Old Warwick Crown Court foyer), Warwick on Tuesday 21st April at 19:00. Unfortunately, this year's funding stream for the awards ceremony did end. Without the support of our Lord Lieutenant who has taken up room hire costs and a private donation received for refreshments this event would not be able to take place. A big thank you for all funds received. WARWICKSHIRE LOCAL NEWS Poppy Forums 2015 Archie Smith invited to No. 10 Archie Smith with David Cameron at No. 10 Poppy Appeal Organiser from Nuneaton Archie Smith was invited to attend a reception at 10 Downing Street with Prime Minster David Cameron on 5th January 2015. Mckile our young collector in Leamington This year's Poppy Appeal forums will be taking place in 4 (maybe 5) separate locations around the county throughout the first two weeks in July. The forums will be held on different days of the week at different times including a Saturday. Archie was nominated by his local MP Marcus Jones in relation to being a Community Champion for all his voluntary efforts and attended the reception with other volunteers from around the country. The invitation came as rather a surprise to Archie although he was thrilled to go along and fly the flag for the Legion, its Poppy Appeal and Nuneaton. Each forum will include a theme and workshop (social media, poppy shops, poppy launch, welfare update) facilitated by a champion with a particular skill in a given area. This model will allow for sharing of best practice whilst receiving updates in relation to new products and procedures from Poppy Factory, Aylesford. Archie has been operating the Poppy Appeal supported by his team since 2008. This year sees a record collection amount counted and banked in the region of £61K. PAO's are asked to attend the forum / forums of their choice with any volunteer collectors / stakeholders from their team. In the photograph Archie is talking to Mr Cameron about Nuneaton's Poppy Appeal and the generosity of its people. Date Location Time 06072015 Stratford RBL Club 11:00 13:30 He explained further to the Prime Minister about the new schools pack initiative and how in one particular school their collection had improved by 600% Theme David Cameron thanked Archie for efforts and was thrilled to hear that year on year Nuneaton's total Poppy Launch and Social Media continues to grow. 07072015 Prince of Wales - Wilnecote 19:00 21:30 Nice one Archie! Working with Supermarkets and other static manned points 11072015 Solihull RBL Club 11:00 13:30 Challenge Events 14072015 Leamington RNA Club 11:30 14:00 Pop up Poppy Shop To allow for the provision of refreshments number of attendees will have to be given prior to each event. Page 3 NATIONAL NEWS Summer Thames Boat Cruise Thursday 2nd July If you would like to find out more about gifts in Wills, please contact Liz Fredericks, Legacy Manager (T: 020 3207 2259, [email protected]) or Lauren Barr, Legacy Marketing Coordinator (020 3053 7007, [email protected]). Or alternatively, visit http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/getinvolved/legacies/leave-a-legacy . Aylesford Update 2015 poppy pins are in stock and can be ordered via PAOs Regional Administrators, but please only order what you require for now and any events through the summer. As summer gets underway, we will be cruising along the Thames for a fabulous summer party. The Legion has chartered the stunning Silver Sturgeon, one of the most luxurious Thames cruisers, for a chance to party under the stars whilst enjoying the gentle pace of the river. After being welcomed on board with champagne, join us for an evening of relaxing fun and dine with us as London’s amazing skyline passes gently by. After dinner, there will be time to dance the rest of the night away to music from the Central Band of The Royal British Legion and take your chances in our floating casino before it is time to return to Westminster Pier and dry land. Aylesford are now in the construction phase of their online ordering programme for PAOs. There are a number of PAOs that are assisting with this and they will also be helping as Aylesford progress to the testing phase. Ray Sheppard Head of Poppy Appeal will ensure that all PAOs are kept up to date as they move through the project and it is hoped to have some of the PAO volunteers online by the next Appeal. Corporate Partners Activity for VE Day Tickets £250 each with tables of 8 or 10 available as well as cosy booths for 6. Contact Rebecca on 020 3207 2272, [email protected] Online booking: www.britishlegion.org.uk/thamescruise Coventry Building Society, Warner Hotels and Marks & Spencer have all kindly agreed to make VE Day pins available. They will be asking for a suggested donation of £2 with 100% of the proceeds coming to the Legion. Gifts in Wills Johnston Press, one of the largest local media companies in the country, will be making a VE Day supplement for all readers during May. In 2012/13, 895 supporters generously left gifts in their Wills. This generated an amazing £11,931,000 for the Royal British Legion. This income can be broken down amongst the regions as follows: eBay, will be encouraging donations at checkout from the 4-8th of May. There will also be a banner advertising VE Day celebrations on eBay's homepage on the run up to the appeal. Warner Leisure Hotels will be hosting VE Day celebration parties at their 13 country and coastal hotels across the UK. Guests will come together to join the celebration with great food and entertainment, but most importantly to raise funds for the Legion. Gifts in Wills are extremely important for the Legion and we would love your help in promoting the importance of this method of giving amongst our supporters and volunteers. Gifts in Wills help the Royal British Legion to plan for the future and although we don’t know what challenges we will face, we have confidence that we can continue to improve the lives of thousands of serving members of the Armed Forces, ex-Service men and women and their families. Westminster Collection, a long-term partner of the charity, will be launching a free VE Day medal (above), with £1.50 post and packing, and will donate 50p to the Legion for each medal that’s claimed. Available from the end of April, for details visit www.freevedaymedal.co.uk Wild and Wolf will be hosting a staff party at their Head Office in Bath and staff will be getting dressed up 1940’s style. They will also be selling their ‘Home Front’ range and emailing all buyers with information on how to get involved. In the lead up to VE Day more corporate partners will be announcing their plans to commemorate the anniversary. For any questions please email [email protected]. 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