Pandemic halted major fundraising
Over 200 iconic landmarks, tourist destinations and business properties will be lighting up red across the country this week.
Poppyscotland is marking the culmination of the 2021 Scottish Poppy Appeal and 100 years of the poppy as the national symbol of Remembrance this year.
The charity has encouraged involvement from schools, universities, council buildings, monuments, statues, and other attractions during the weeks leading up to Remembrance Sunday (14 November).
Notable locations lighting up include RRS Discovery in Dundee, Scone Palace, the Royal and Ancient clubhouse in St Andrews, Scapa Distillery in Orkney, The Kelpies, and Turnberry Lighthouse.
The Scottish Poppy Appeal is the largest annual charity street collection in Scotland and raises more than £2 million each year. The money raised from the Poppy Appeal and year-round fundraising enables Poppyscotland to support members of the Armed Forces community in Scotland by providing services in advice, employment, housing, mental health and mobility.
With last year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal being badly impacted by the pandemic, the centenary of the Appeal takes on an even greater significance. Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising and Learning at Poppyscotland, said: “The last 18 months have been a very difficult time for us as a charity, and even more so for the Armed Forces community we support.
"The pandemic halted all our major fundraising events and we had to drastically change the way in which we reached out to the public for donations. Despite this we have still provided our vital, life-changing support uninterrupted throughout the pandemic.
“The support of local businesses and national landmarks has been fantastic over many years, and we’re delighted that for our centenary year a record-breaking number of locations will be paying tribute to Scotland’s Armed Forces community. To see the country light up red during the Remembrance period will be even more poignant as, 100 years on, the Poppy Appeal remains as important now as it ever has been.”
