One in eight veterans have a fundamental unmet need for support, and more than half suffer from a long-term illness or disability
Scotland’s latest Olympic golden boy Callum Skinner has launched this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal.
Skinner (pictured), who has been dubbed the next Chris Hoy after returning from Rio with a gold in the men’s team sprint, joined Scottish veterans at Waverley railway station in Edinburgh.
The poppy appeal is Scotland’s largest street collection and this year's comes on the back of research by charity Poppyscotland which shows one in eight veterans have a fundamental unmet need for support and more than half suffer from a long-term illness or disability.
Born in Glasgow, but raised in in Edinburgh, Skinner was chosen to be the face of the launch not only because of his high profile but also because his great grandfather, Alfred Skinner, fought in World War I.
Now more than ever before, the armed forces community needs the help of the Scottish public
“I’m honoured to be launching the 2016 Scottish Poppy Appeal for Poppyscotland,” he said.
“The charity is one that is very close to my heart. I hope in the coming weeks that the Scottish public once again get behind the Scottish Poppy Appeal so that Poppyscotland can continue to offer their amazing support to our armed forces community.”
The theme of this year’s fundraising campaign is ‘go the extra mile’ and Poppyscotland is asking the public to raise additional funds by doing something such as doing a sponsored walk as well as putting money in a collection tin.
The charity has even created a podcast of veterans’ stories which can be downloaded from its website for people to listen to while walking and will be taking a treadmill around some of the country’s busiest railway stations.
“We are delighted that such a sporting hero has joined us today for the launch of this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal,” Gordon Michie, head of fundraising from Poppyscotland, said.
“Now more than ever before, the armed forces community needs the help of the Scottish public.
“The shocking reality is that one in eight veterans have a fundamental unmet need for support, and more than half suffer from a long-term illness of disability. That’s why we’re calling for the Scottish public to go that extra mile in their support for this year’s Poppy Appeal.
“Whether it’s putting a little bit more in the poppy tin, or doing something completely different to raise money, every penny helps us to offer life-changing support so we can be there when they call for backup.”
The Scottish Poppy Appeal, has been running for 95 years, and this year will run until Remembrance Sunday on 13 November.
A host of activities will take place, including pop-up poppy shops all over Scotland, Fields of Remembrance in Edinburgh and Inverness and the lighting up in poppy red of landmarks and structures across Scotland.
