Two Royal Navy veterans from Bridlington are helping bring the annual Poppy Appeal to railway passengers across the North of England, encouraging people to support serving personnel, veterans and their families.
Andrew Wall, 59, and Pete Bolton, 76, are among a team of 15 volunteers taking part in the Poppy Express, an annual fundraising initiative which sees veterans travelling on Northern trains selling poppies and collecting donations for the Royal British Legion.
The pair, both former Royal Navy servicemen, have been encouraged by the generosity and response from passengers as they help raise funds ahead of Remembrance Day on Wednesday, November 11.
Andrew, who served in the Royal Navy for 33 years, said the support had been particularly rewarding after the Royal British Legion helped him make the transition back to civilian life.
He said: “The reaction on board has been very positive, from the small children wanting to know what the poppy means, to the older generation with family that served in the Second World War, and the veterans who share stories about their service.
“It’s very humbling and heartwarming.
“The train is great because we have a captive audience, but we don’t force people into buying poppies. There’s no need for that because the poppy sells itself.
“We ask people to give whatever they can afford. It all goes to a really good cause – helping veterans and their families.”
Pete, who served in the Royal Navy for two years, said the volunteers had met many generous passengers keen to share their own military connections and family stories.
He said: “The Legion is fantastic because it looks after veterans and their families, but they need the funding to do this important work.
“On Remembrance Day, it’s important to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice but also help the veterans who made it home.
“I would urge everyone to make a donation, no matter how small, to help such a worthwhile cause. Every penny counts.”
The Poppy Express was launched 11 years ago by Army veteran Denis Scaife, 75, and his wife Barbara, 76, from East Yorkshire.
Denis came up with the idea after previously collecting donations in a supermarket, where he struggled to attract support.
He approached train operators, who were happy to get behind the initiative.
Last year, the fundraising team raised an impressive £38,000 in just three weeks.
Denis said the money was desperately needed to support former service personnel facing homelessness, mental health problems and medical conditions linked to their military service.
Northern is also supporting Remembrance commemorations by offering free rail travel to serving military personnel and veterans attending remembrance services across the UK on Sunday, November 8.
