Defence Secretary's praise for dedication of Armed Forces at RBL's London Poppy Day
Defence Secretary John Healey has praised the skills, dedicated and readiness of the armed forces as he joined personnel selling poppies across London for the launch of the Royal British Legion's London Poppy Day.
"We've got serving personnel in uniform from all over the country that have come and put us real shift today", Mr Healey told BFBS Forces News after encouraging members of the public to support the appeal at London's Leadenhall Market.
"The ones I've been selling with, I've been here since six in the morning, and it's part of their respect for those generations past and the inspiration that I know they take from those service and the inspiration of the skills, the dedication, the readiness to do whatever it takes to defend the country.
"Those are values that they have today, just as previous generations had before."
Also present for the launch were the Royal Marines abseil team, who abseiled down the station's iconic clock tower to encourage the public to donate and wear a poppy to support the RBL's Poppy Appeal, and barrister and broadcaster Rob Rinder.
Now in its 19th year, London Poppy Day involved more than 3,000 Armed Forces serving personnel and volunteers collecting across the city in the hopes of fundraising £1m in one day in Europe's biggest street collection.
Mr Healey also reflected on the "courage and sacrifice" of serving personnel which is spotlighted during the Remembrance period.
"It's the time of year culminating on Remembrance Day, when the nation comes together, recognises the courage and the sacrifice of those who served, and especially the lives we've lost in conflict", he told BFBS Forces News.
"But it's also, for me, a chance now, as Defence Secretary, to encourage people to recognise the special service of those who serve today, who serve the sacrifice they make to defend the country and keep us all safe."
Mr Rinder, who is the Honorary Colonel Commandant of the Royal Corps of Army Music, said it was "really critical" to support the RBL.
"It comes to Poppy Day and we, of course, remember those who laid down their lives to keep us free, and that happens once a year", he said.
"We don't necessarily do the other thing, which is to thank our Armed Forces, who every day, from every community and every background, give service to our country."
This year's appeal is highlighting the way the charity is helping to rebuild lives across the Armed Forces community.
Personnel visible at transport locations
The Poppy Appeal aims to raise more than £50m to fund the RBL's important work in supporting serving personnel, veterans, and their families throughout their lives, providing whatever they need, whenever it is needed.
London Poppy Day saw military bands and choirs, including the military wives choir, performed at 14 stations across London including King's Cross, Euston, and London Bridge.
Comedian and presenter Jo Brand also recorded a special Tannoy announcement that commuters heard inviting them to participate in the day.
Super special event, minister tells BFBS Forces News
Veterans and People Minister Louise Sandher-Jones told BFBS Forces News' Alexander Walters that it was "super special to be here today with so many people from across the Armed Forces community".
"We've got veterans here; we've got Armed Forces families; we've got service personnel; and we've also got cadets as well.
"It's just fantastic to have the whole community here, showing off who we are and what we can do, and just speaking to lots of commuters coming through and asking them to donate to support our Armed Forces community."
The RBL's Poppy Appeal for 2025 was unveiled at Frameless, where veterans supported by the charity attended an immersive art experience, showcasing the poppy.
During Remembrance weekend, visitors to the venue will be able to step into the poppy-themed gallery as the UK reflects on the service and sacrifice of British and Commonwealth Armed Forces.
Young people meet serving personnel
Speaking to BFBS Forces News, Lucy Inskip, the director of the RBL's Poppy Appeal, said that it was crucial that Armed Forces personnel talk and are seen by younger people in the city for half-term.
"I think it's really key [given that] a lot of Armed Forces serving members aren't typically out and about in uniform," Ms Inskip said.
"It's really good and really heartening to see people dressed super smartly representing their service, and we've got all the different representatives from all the different services here.
"So, it's a really good opportunity for the kids to come and join in and obviously meet our Armed Forces community as well."
At any given moment, the RBL helps more than 7,000 members of the Armed Forces community by providing expert advice and practical support.
In 2024, the RBL provided £12m in welfare grants to support more than 22,000 people, including £1.4m in food and clothing vouchers, and spent £5m on housing issues.
Additional reporting by Alexander Walters and Sofie Cacoyannis.
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