Edinburgh may be poppy-less in the future if more volunteers aren’t found in the run up to the Scottish Poppy Appeal. Charity Poppyscotland has issued an urgent appeal for area organisers in the capital.
Each year, five million poppies are carefully handcrafted by disabled veterans in Poppyscotland’s factory in Edinburgh. To ensure these poppies reach communities across Scotland, the charity relies on a network of dedicated Area Organisers who organise collections and manage volunteers or ‘Poppy People’. But, as a result of Area Organisers moving home, retiring from their voluntary roles, or sadly passing away, there is now a greater need for new Area Organisers than ever before.
The leading charity, which provides life-changing support to the Armed Forces community in Scotland, is now urgently calling on a volunteer or volunteer group to come forward and lead the Scottish Poppy Appeal in their local community as an Area Organiser.
If an Area Organiser isn’t found in Edinburgh, not only will poppies not be available but the charity may see a considerable drop in donations. This could result in a loss of funding for vital services to the Armed Forces community at a time when many desperately need help and support.
Isla Campbell Lupton, Volunteer Development Manager at Poppyscotland, said: “Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do at Poppyscotland. Their support for the Scottish Poppy Appeal means we can make a positive difference to our Armed Forces community. Without them, we simply wouldn’t be able to run the Scottish Poppy Appeal every year.
“We have a network of 460 dedicated Area Organisers across Scotland, but Edinburgh is an area where we really need more volunteers. We are now urgently looking for Area Organisers to step up and ensure that locals can continue to sport their red poppies with pride.
“By simply having someone holding a collection tin, we can raise 50 times more than a stand-alone tin in a shop. With a team of volunteers, the charity can raise more in one day than having un-manned collection tins over an entire fortnight.
“As an Area Organiser, you will be a part of a very special team that helps to raise millions of pounds for Scotland’s Armed Forces community. Our ex-servicemen and women in Scotland urgently need our support. To volunteer your time, please visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk.”
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