Poppyscotland needs you! Scotland’s leading Armed Forces charity is searching for a range of volunteers from Edinburgh and the Lothians to help with the charity’s fundraising campaign in the coming weeks.
Volunteers are being sought to lend a hand for a few hours on a number of key days all across the city, including Edinburgh Poppy Day (1st November), Poppy Saturday (10th November) and during the day for the two weeks that the Field of Remembrance, near the Scott Monument, is open to the public (from Monday, 28th October to Sunday, 11th November).
The charity is also on the lookout for new Supermarket Organisers and collectors to lead the fundraising push at a trio of stores in the capital this year and beyond. They are Sainsbury’s at Murrayfield; Morrisons at Ferry Road; and Morrisons at the Granton Waterfront.
As a Supermarket Organiser (SO), volunteers can develop and support the charity’s team of collectors to make the poppy accessible to everyone that visits the stores.
Poppyscotland Head of Fundraising Gordon Michie said: “We’re looking for individuals, businesses, groups of friends, or community organisations that have good organisational skills to step forward to lead this year’s Appeal across Edinburgh.
“Last year, more than £5,600 was raised in these stores and we know that with your support, a Supermarket Organiser has the potential to build collection totals to more than £300 per day.
“What’s more, thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers, we raised an incredible £15,846 at Edinburgh Poppy Day 2018. Without members of the public giving up their time, we could never achieve such impressive totals.
“By volunteering for Poppyscotland you will be helping us transform the lives of veterans in Scotland, those currently serving, and their families who are in need. The money raised from the annual Poppy Appeal enables us to provide life-changing support to those affected by many issues including poverty, mental health problems and disability, and will ensure that we are behind them, always.
“Our volunteers are at the heart of everything we do, and, without their vital support, we simply wouldn’t be able to deliver the Scottish Poppy Appeal.”
Mr Michie added: “Volunteering with us offers some great benefits for you, too; our volunteers gain a real sense of achievement, immense pride and satisfaction by doing something worthwhile.
“It’s also a great opportunity to meet new people and have fun while giving something back, so, if this sounds like something for you, please do get in touch.”
One person who is keen to highlight the benefits of the role is Judith Hunter, who is the Community Liaison Coordinator at John Lewis & Partners and is part of a team that now leads the fundraising drive for the annual Scottish Poppy Appeal in Edinburgh.
Judith said: “Last year, along with our customers, we had so much fun knitting and selling thousands of poppies and raising a total we were proud of £9,187.60, and we really enjoyed the interaction with the general public at Poppy Appeal time.
“Also, working with a great bunch of volunteers is rewarding, especially knowing we are helping to support the veteran community in Scotland. I have found that the public are very much aware of what the Scottish Poppy Appeal stands for and, therefore, it’s not difficult to encourage people to contribute.”
And Judith’s advice to anyone thinking about volunteering for Poppyscotland is clear: “Just do it – no thought needed! You’ll be amazed by the support you receive – the businesses and public are lovely, and I’d encourage anyone to get out there and meet them.”
Supermarket and Area Organisers – who can comprise individuals, groups, schools, Cadet Forces, Rotary Clubs, etc. – form a 450-strong team covering every city, town and village in Scotland.
They help the charity to pin up to five million poppies on to Scotland’s coats, jackets and jumpers. The Scottish Poppy Appeal raised more than £2.4 million last year thanks to the support of the public and the dedication of 10,000 volunteers, and for more information or to chat about this great opportunity, please contact Steve Parry, Volunteer Development Officer at Poppyscotland, at volunteer@poppyscotland.org.uk or on 0131 550 1597.
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