Salisbury's Royal British Legion launches Poppy Appeal 2024

The city's branch of the Royal British Legion held a ceremony in Guildhall Square to kick-start its fundraising efforts ahead of Remembrance Sunday (November 10).

The legion was joined by the Vice Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire (VLL), Sir Andrew Gregory, MP John Glen and city mayor Sven Hocking.

Second World War veterans joined as the charity's guests of honour – the oldest of whom, Ron Collins, had turned 103 just one day earlier.

A service was held to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the UK's withdrawal from Afghanistan, and there was music from the Salisbury City Band of The Royal British Legion.

Veterans and dignitaries turned out to help launch the appeal (Image: Spencer Mulholland)

Members of the Sea and Army Cadets were also in attendance.

Bob Barwick, vice-president of the Royal British Legion's Salisbury branch, said: “It went really well, and we had a good turnout. We've been well supported throughout this year.”

He described Mr Collins, who was captured by German forces in Greece in 1943 and spent two years in the Stalag Luft I prisoner of war camp, as “a force of nature”.

Mr Barwick said: “He was our guest of honour last year too, and it was great to see him stand to receive his poppy.”

Wendy Oliver and Helen Smith with their certificates of appreciation (Image: Spencer Mulholland) Two long-serving volunteers with the Salisbury branch were recognised for their decade-long commitment to the charity with certificates of appreciation.

Wendy Oliver and Helen Smith have collected a remarkable £360,000 between them since they started fundraising.

Mr Barwick said: “We presented them with certificates. They have done the last 10 years of the Poppy Appeal in Salisbury; it’s a real labour of love for them.”

David Spicer was also awarded his Nuclear Testing Medal.

After the ceremony in the square, volunteers visited three supermarkets in the city to sell poppies, including new knitted ones made in collaboration with the Crafty Girls group and Manor Care Home, which have set up a ‘production line’.

Steph Beattie, Tony Child, Suzanne Husk, Liz Windows and Vaughn Sennett with the new knitted poppies (Image: Spencer Mulholland) The city's branch also scored a regional best in the appeal's launch weekend: raising the largest sum of money through card payments in the south west.

“When you talk about a successful launch, you can’t get better than that!”, said Mr Barwick.

The Royal British Legion is working in partnership with Salisbury City Council on this year's Remembrance Sunday ceremony, also taking place in Guildhall Square.

Last year's ceremony saw hundreds of people gather to pay their respects and take part in a two-minute silence and prayers.