Tennis ace's mum gets winning service from Poppyscotland
She’s more used to seeing her son serving winning aces on tennis courts around the world.
But this week Judy Murray, mum of tennis champion Andy, was happy to be on the receiving end of a different kind of service – as two soldiers served her tea and toast to launch Poppyscotland’s latest fundraiser.
The new charity campaign comes from the military tradition of having a cup of tea and slice of toast at break times even when away on operations, providing a comforting reminder of home.
Poppyscotland piloted the event last year with people enjoying mugs of tea and slices of toast to mark Armed Forces Day.
This year the theme is extended to include imaginative variations such as a cream tea, toasted with a glass of fizz.
At the launch on board the Royal Yacht Britannia Judy Murray was joined by Sergeant Stephanie Sanderson and Lance Corporal Amy Sutherland from 2 Scots to call on the public to get behind the activity and organise Tea & Toasts with family, friends and communities on and around Armed Forces Day (27 June).
Judy said: “I was delighted to launch the Scottish Poppy Appeal in November and I am thrilled to be launching this big summer fundraiser.
"Poppyscotland needs to raise money all year round to support the armed forces community and Tea & Toast offers a simple but fabulous way to do exactly that.
"I hope the public gets behind Tea & Toast to ensure that our servicemen and women, past and present, and their families, can get the help they need and deserve.”
Tea & Toast hosts can choose to put a price on the refreshments or offer them for free and ask their guests to make a donation.
The money raised will make a huge difference to help those most vulnerable in the Armed Forces community.
Poppyscotland’s events fundraiser Marianne Craig said: “Tea & Toast offers an ideal way for people to get together and show their support for Scotland’s armed forces community.
"Our pilot last year proved extremely popular and we’re hoping to grow the activity so that it becomes a regular fixture over the summer months.
"It’s such a versatile concept but, plain or fancy, the important thing is that people are having fun and raising vital funds.”
