Details of Salisbury Poppy Appeal: When does it start?

The Salisbury branch of the Royal British Legion will begin its Poppy Appeal on the Market Square opposite the Guildhall at 9.45am on Saturday, October 28.

Everyone is invited to attend and see the presentation of poppies handed to the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire (VLL) and the Mayor of Salisbury.

Ron Collins, this year's guest of honour, will present the first poppy to the VLL three days after celebrating his 102nd birthday, an anniversary he shares with the Poppy Appeal itself which started in 1921.

Mr Collins joined the Royal Air Force in 1942 as a radar mechanic but was captured at the Battle of Leros in 1943.

He was then incarcerated in Stalag Luft 1 as a prisoner of war until the end of the Second World War in 1945 before going on to serve a full career in the Army with the REME.

The RBL will distribute proceeds of the Poppy Appeal to current and former service personnel who are in need.

Poppies can be bought from most supermarkets in Salisbury. (Image: PA)

Up until  September 2022, people in the Armed Forces community in Wiltshire have received more than 300 grants from the RBL, totalling more than £250m pounds to help with everything from housing, the cost of living, help with their mobility and getting back to work.

This year’s Remembrance poppy has been given a make-over and will now be completely plastic-free and easily recycled. The new poppies will be sold alongside stock of the original poppy.  

Bob Barwick, vice president of the Salisbury branch of the Royal British Legion, said: "We are delighted that Ron Collins is joining us as our Guest of Honour to launch this year's appeal. 

"He is a force of nature who epitomises all the special qualities of his generation (akin to Capt Sir Tom Moore).  His amazing Service over many decades reminds us all of the special debt we owe to our Armed Forces past and present."

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This year marked both the 70th anniversary of the Armistice at the end of the Korean War and the end of the Falklands War.

Collection boxes and poppies have been distributed to businesses, schools and supermarkets across Salisbury by RBL volunteers and everyone is invited to show their support by wearing a poppy between October 28 and November 12.

The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal was first held in the aftermath of the First World War in 1921, where red silk poppies were sold, raising over £106,000.  

Today the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal is the charity’s biggest fundraising campaign and takes place every year in the run up to Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.