Army Veteran Takes Part In 26-Hour Poppy Making Marathon

A former soldier has taken part in a mammoth 26-hour poppy making marathon in aid of charity Poppyscotland.

Alastair Skene, who usually makes the items at Lady Haig's Poppy Factory in Edinburgh, took on the challenge in his garden shed in Midlothian because of the coronavirus lockdown.

All money raised will be used to help military veterans in need.

“This year, more than ever with the coronavirus going on, a lot of events have had to be cancelled," said Mr Skene during the fundraiser.

"Due to the events being cancelled, that was another reason I thought ‘how can I turn a negative into a positive by doing this from home?’

“Poppyscotland is going to lose out on a great deal of money throughout the year so any small bits like this will just help to keep them going."

Mr Skene worked through the night on Thursday to produce thousands of poppies.

His initial £1,000 fundraising goal has already been broken, raising more than £2,000.