The Poppy Appeal 2016

Armistice Day – 11 November 2016

A two-minute silence has been observed across the UK to remember the nation's war dead for Armistice Day.

People across the UK paused for two minutes to commemorate the moment the guns fell silent for peace at the end of World War One, on 11 November 1918.

Hundreds of people attended the Royal British Legion's Silence in the Square event in Trafalgar Square, where poppies were laid in the fountains.

The Poppy Appeal

The Royal British Legion (RBL) is a British charity providing financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces, their families and dependants.

The first Poppy Appeal was held in 1921, which was the founding year of The Royal British Legion.

The first poppies were silk, but since 1978 paper poppies have been made to support the Poppy Appeal. James Cropper produces the paper for the iconic red poppies. The Poppy Factory produces 40 million remembrance poppies to raise money for the Legion which offers advice and support after military service:

‘Don’t just wear a poppy for the memory of the fallen, wear it for the future of the living.’

Why poppies?

At the end of the First World War, poppies were the first flowers to grow in the Northern France and Flanders battlefields.

What is the 'rethink Remembrance' appeal about?

This year, The Royal British Legion is asking the nation to Rethink Remembrance by recognising the sacrifices made not just by the Armed Forces of the past, but by today’s generation too.

For many people, Remembrance is associated with the fallen of the First and Second World Wars. While we will always remember them, the Legion wants to raise awareness of a new generation of veterans and Service personnel that need our support.

How to donate

Poppies are on sale with a suggested donation of £1, but you’ll also spot volunteers collecting money for the Poppy Appeal on high streets all over the country.

You can make a one-off donation online, or to donate £3, you can text POPPY to 70020. Or to donate £10, text POPPY to 70111.