Poppyscotland – Page 3 – The NEN

Strictly Come Dancing star JJ Chalmers gears up for 10th anniversary of Poppyscotland’s popular Sportive

Television presenter and Strictly Come Dancing contestant JJ Chalmers is backing Poppyscotland’s upcoming Sportive as the charity celebrates the 10th anniversary of the popular event.

The former Royal Marines Commando and Invictus Games Medallist is encouraging individuals, families, local groups or workmates to support the Armed Forces charity by signing up to take part in the cycle, which will take place this year on Sunday, September 21.

The Sportive is Poppyscotland’s flagship cycling event, featuring four routes designed for different ability levels. It is split into two distinct types – the Classic (46, 68 and 102 miles) and the Wee Yin (22 miles).

As in previous years, riders will line up at the starting point in Prestonpans, East Lothian, then head along the historic coastal route to North Berwick, where Classic route participants will face a timed hill climb before reaching the first feed station at East Linton.

From there, the short route continues to Gifford, while medium and long routes head towards Garvald before splitting at Whiteadder Reservoir, with the longer challenge heading to Duns and medium returning to Gifford. All routes finish in Prestonpans.

New for 2025, the Wee Yin route will take cyclists inland to Gullane before heading back towards Aberlady and then on to the coastal path. This route is largely flat and ideal for anyone wanting a family activity, looking for an easy ride, or a fun, challenging activity to do at the weekend.

Television personality JJ suffered life-changing injuries after being blown up by an IED in Afghanistan. After months of rehabilitation, he went on to captain the trike team at the Invictus Games, receiving a gold medal in the men’s IRecB1 Recumbent Circuit Race. He also won bronze in the 1-mile time trial and in the 4 x 100 mixed relay race.

JJ is a big supporter of Poppyscotland and is urging people to come out and take part in the 10^th edition of Sportive.

He said: “Once again this year I am working with the national charity Poppyscotland, who of course support the Armed Forces community whether that’s serving or veteran or indeed their families, and I would love to encourage you to sign up for their really popular Sportive.

“It’s a cycling event taking place on Sunday 21st September. There are four different routes, so it’s for all abilities and there’s something there for everyone.

“I would encourage you to get your friends, family involved. Maybe get your old oppos (your mates from the military) together and it’s the 10th anniversary so the perfect opportunity to come and join an amazing community. So, if you are interested head over to the website poppyscotland.org.uk/sportive.”

Poppyscotland Events Fundraising Manager, Richard Todd, said: “We’re really excited to celebrate the 10th edition of the Sportive and to grow the event with our new Wee Yin route.

“We hope to mark this anniversary year by raising as much as possible in support of our Armed Forces community, and we would be delighted if those signing up to take part would also consider setting up fundraising pages and challenging themselves with a donation target.

“As little as £100 goes a long way in helping us to provide much needed support to both serving and ex-servicemen, women and their families in areas like housing, debt, mental health, and mobility.

“If fundraising is not for you, perhaps when you register you’d consider adding a £10 donation per rider. It’s a small gesture that can make a big difference!”

Entry for our Classic routes is £40 per rider (minimum age: 16). The Wee Yin route is £25 per rider or £40 per family (2 adults & 2 children). Minimum age is 12 and entry is free for riders under 16.

Entry Includes: Electronic timing; mechanical support; food and water stations; coffee at the start; Tea & Toast at the finish; ‘King and Queen of The Heugh’ timed hill climb; sweeper service and a finishers gift.

To sign up today, please visit: poppyscotland.org.uk/sportive

Military rehabilitation specialists use pedal power and get on their bikes for Poppyscotland

A group of six military rehab specialists will set off on an epic 530-mile charity cycle in aid of veterans’ charity Poppyscotland next week.

Known as the Rehab Rollers, they aim to complete their challenge in just six days, leaving from Redford Barracks in Edinburgh on Saturday, May 31, stopping at nine rehabilitation centres located across the country. These include Faslane, Kinlochleven, Fort George, Lossiemouth, Arbroath and returning to Edinburgh on June 5.

The keen cyclists, who help to rehabilitate injured tri-service personnel, will also place commemorative poppy wreaths at every location they visit to mark 80 years since VE Day and the approaching 80^th anniversary of VJ Day.

Gordon McKay, Clinical Lead Physiotherapist at Redford Barracks, is taking part in the challenge and said: “We have chosen to do this in aid of Poppyscotland because a lot of the people who come through us we aim to get back into full deployable service, but there are some unfortunate souls who don’t make it back and when they leave the service they may well find themselves relying on some of the veterans’ charities located in Scotland.

“So, we thought we would raise some money to help those charities whilst also challenging ourselves and cycling is something we all really enjoy, so it seemed the perfect thing for us to do.

“We have prepared with lots of cycling as a team and solo rides at the weekend and generally trying to get as much time on the saddle as possible. I’m sure there will be blood, sweat and tears but we massively appreciate any donation you can give.

“We’re proud to support Poppyscotland and help our veterans. Together, we can make a difference.”

All funds raised by Poppyscotland are used helping countless men, women and families with issues linked to their time in the Armed Forces or with struggles adjusting from military to civilian life.

To donate to the Rehab Rollers please visit their JustGiving page at www.justgiving.com/page/rehabrollers-poppyscotland

Or to find out more about the charity, please visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk

Dawn Service of Remembrance as Edinburgh marks ANZAC Day

An early morning international remembrance service, to mark the 110^th anniversary of the Gallipoli campaign in the First World War, took place yesterday (Friday, April 25).

ANZAC Day, the annual Remembrance of all the Australian and New Zealand citizens who have served in conflicts and peacekeeping operations around the world, coincides with landings on Gallipoli during the First World War, in which the two southern nations were involved.

Representatives of Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland joined members of the Australian and New Zealand communities, as well as veterans and current servicemen and women in a touching wreath-laying ceremony at Comely Bank Cemetery, Edinburgh, at 5am.

The event was led by Rev Dr Karen Campbell and also featured Scots Guards piper Mark Macrae and bugler Iona Macfarlane. A similar dawn service took part at the same time at the Western Necropolis in Glasgow.

Later at 11am, Edinburgh’s Lord Provost Robert Aldridge and Government representatives from Scotland, the UK, Australia, France, and Turkey took part in Legion Scotland’s annual ANZAC and Gallipoli Day Service at the Scottish National War Memorial inside Edinburgh Castle.

The ceremonies take place to remember the events at dawn on April 25th, 1915, when the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC), together with British, French, and Russian forces landed on the Dardanelles Peninsula (now part of Turkey) at the start of the Gallipoli campaign.

This ended in a stalemate, with troops withdrawing in January 1916, with a total of more than 100,000 soldiers killed over the nine-month period.

Dr Claire Armstrong, OBE, Chief Executive of Legion Scotland, said: “This annual event allows us the chance to remember the service and sacrifices of ANZAC servicemen and women through the years, as well as our own soldiers who fell during the Gallipoli campaign.

“It is our opportunity to also reflect on the extraordinary courage of our Armed Forces community, both past and present, as well as the enduring friendship between our countries.”

Scotland’s Salute: VE80 – A Night to Remember at the Usher Hall

Scotland’s Salute: VE80 – A Night to Remember

Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland proudly present a special VE80 commemorative concert at Usher Hall, Edinburgh, on 6th May.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of music and storytelling as we mark 80 years since Victory in Europe.

Performing in the concert we have The Bands of HM Royal Marines Scotland, The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland, RBLS Dunfermline Pipe Band, Military Wives Choirs from all over Scotland, Cammy Barnes, Amy Hawthorn, Iona McDonald from the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Nicholas Ralph from All Creatures Great and Small with Sadie Addington and Anaïs Doppel.

The event will be narrated by Alasdair Hutton OBE TD, previously the voice of the world renowned Edinburgh Military Tattoo, with broadcaster Mark Mckenzie from BFBS Scotland acting as the evenings compere.

This national tribute, endorsed by the Scottish Government, is not to be missed.

Date: 6th May

Venue: Usher Hall, Edinburgh

Tickets available now

Get yours today!

Poppyscotland launch brand new Battalia Fit

Sign up to help raise awareness and funds for Scotland’s veterans

Looking for a new challenge? Or to push yourself further in 2025? Then why not sign up to take part in Poppyscotland’s brand new Battalia Fit.

Battalia Fit is our very own hybrid fitness competition, mirroring other contests such as the hugely popular Hyrox, Spartan, and DEKA FIT.

Taking place at Crossfit gym, within Airdrieonian’s Albert Bartlett Stadium, on Saturday 21st June, Battalia Fit is made up of 10 stations with 500m runs in between (5km in total).

Each station is based on activities those serving in the military must carry out in their training and will include burpees, press ups, box jumps, squats, a 1km row and more, pushing your fitness ability to the core.

Gordon Michie, Poppyscotland’s Head of Fundraising and Learning said: “This is our inaugural Battalia Fit and we cannot wait to get along to Crossfit in Airdrie and see all of the wonderful people who have come out to participate in our first ever fitness competition and show their support for our charity.

“This event will raise so much awareness of Poppyscotland and the work we do supporting the Armed Forces community at times of need, including help with housing, debt, mental health, and mobility.

“A huge thank you to the team at Crossfit Airdrie for allowing us to stage Battalia Fit at their gym and for the ongoing support.”

Registration for this event costs just £60 and entry Includes: a coveted finishers medal, hydration station, official event time, a workout plan to get you ready to battle, event photos and free parking.

Or participants can choose a free entry place and commit to fundraise a minimum of £150 to help us make a vital difference to our Armed Forces community.

For further information or to book a place please visit:

www.poppyscotland.org.uk/battalia-fit

Cyclists encouraged to Sign Up for 10th year of popular Sportive

Cyclists are being urged to saddle up and support Poppyscotland’s upcoming Sportive, as the charity celebrates 10 years of the popular event.

Not only is this the tenth anniversary, but the Wee Yin route will also become a permanent feature after a successful trial of the scenic course in 2024.

The Sportive is Poppyscotland’s flagship fundraising cycling event, featuring four routes designed for different ability levels. It is split into two distinct types – the Classic (46, 68 and 102 miles) and the Wee Yin (22 miles).

As in previous years, riders will line up at the starting point in Prestonpans, East Lothian, then head along the historic coastal route to North Berwick where Classic route participants will face a timed hill climb before reaching the first feed station at East Linton.

From there, the short route continues to Gifford while medium and long routes head towards Garvel before splitting at Whiteadder Reservoir, with the longer challenge heading to Duns and medium returning to Gifford. All routes finish in Musselburgh.

The Wee Yin route will take cyclists inland to Gullane before heading back towards Aberlady and then on to the coastal path.

Poppyscotland’s Head of Fundraising and Learning, Gordon Michie, is encouraging both individuals and families to take part in this year’s Sportive, and said: “2025 marks the 10^th anniversary of this event, and we have been working so hard to create something really special for all of our riders.

“With the Wee Yin route proving so popular last year we are delighted to be able to bring it back on a permanent basis, opening up the Sportive to even more participants who may want to take part. The Wee Yin is perfect for those leisure cyclists and families too.

“Please sign up today and be a part in one of the best cycle rides in Scotland with amazing scenery, all while supporting our Armed Forces veterans and their families.”

Avid cyclist Ally Mallinson took part in last year’s trial run of the Wee Yin route and encouraged his daughter, Amy, to partake in it also. Ally highly recommends it to others. He said: “It’s a great idea and it would be good to see more families out doing it as that’s what it’s all about.

“The Wee Yin route is a good way of staying fit, healthy and raising money for a great cause and it’s a good family activity. Cycling on roads is safer than many people think and if you follow the highway code, cycle properly, you should not have an issue.

“I’ll be back this year with Amy and my son!”

Gordon added: “We’re really excited to celebrate the 10th edition of the Sportive and our goal is to raise as much as possible to support the Armed Forces community at times of need, including help with housing, debt, mental health, and mobility.

“If you’d like to help us make an even bigger impact, please consider adding a £10 donation per rider. It’s a small gesture that can make a big difference!”

Entry Includes: Electronic timing; mechanical support; food and water stations; coffee at the start; Tea & Toast at the finish; ‘King and Queen of The Heugh’ timed hill climb; sweeper service and a finishers gift.

To sign up today, please visit poppyscotland.org.uk/sportive

Scotland’s Salute: Tickets on sale

Tickets are on sale for Scotland’s National event to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe:

Scotland’s Salute – A Tribute to VE-Day 80th Anniversary Concert

Organised by Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland, this exciting May event follows on from last June’s hugely successful Scotland Salutes: D-Day 80 concert.

Tickets can be purchased directly from the Usher Hall Website on:

https://www.usherhall.co.uk/…/scotlands-salute-tribute……

Musical extravaganza will recognise 80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe

A joint concert to be held in Edinburgh’s Usher Hall next spring is set to recognise the 80^th anniversary of Victory in Europe.

Organised by Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland, this exciting May event follows on from this year’s hugely successful Scotland Salutes: D-Day 80 concert held back in June.

Scotland’s Salute: VE80 is Scotland’s National VE activities, endorsed by the Scottish Government. It will take place on 6^th May (two days before VE Day) at the Usher Hall and will be a musical extravaganza that will focus on telling the events that led to victory in Europe. Bringing the stories of those who were there to life and culminating in an act of remembrance. Music will be provided by a tri-service orchestra.

The event will be narrated by Alasdair Hutton OBE TD, previously the voice of the world-renowned Edinburgh Military Tattoo, with BFBS’s own Mark Mckenzie acting as the evenings compere.

Dr Claire Armstrong, OBE, Chief Executive of Legion Scotland said: “Legion Scotland are exceptionally proud to bring the latest in our commemorative concerts in honour of this historic milestone in partnership with Poppyscotland.

“Our Scotland Salutes concert is set to be a fantastic evening, with wonderful music and stories playing out on stage, whilst representing our nation coming together to reflect on the momentous occasion that was Victory in Europe, 80 years on.”

Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising and Learning at Poppyscotland added: “It is always important to reflect on the sacrifices that Service requires, and indeed to celebrate VE Day, in particular in 2025 given that it is the 80^th anniversary of such a historic event.

“All profits made from ticket sales will be split 50/50 between Legion Scotland and Poppyscotland. Profits will go directly to supporting the Armed Forces community in Scotland, through Legion Scotland’s comradeship events and Poppyscotland’s welfare provisions.”

Tickets for this one-off concert spectacular, which are priced at £20.25 for the Stalls, £25 for the Grand Circle and £19.45 for the Upper Circle, and are the perfect Christmas gift for your loved ones, are available from November 25^th and can be booked through the Usher Hall booking office online or by calling 0131 228 1155.

Poppyscotland Appeal ends on a high

Thousands of volunteers took to streets, shopping centres and supermarkets for the final weekend of fundraising for the 2024 Scottish Poppy Appeal.

Affectionately known across the country as Poppy Saturday, the day saw an army of volunteer collectors, including veterans themselves and hundreds of young cadets, from Glasgow to Girvan, Edinburgh to Elgin, all make another outstanding effort to raise vital funds to support the Armed Forces community.

Tomorrow the nation will fall silent in sombre reflection and pause for two minutes on Remembrance Sunday, safe in the knowledge that Poppy Saturday across Scotland has once again been a roaring success, with shoppers enthusiastically donating.

Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising and Learning at Poppyscotland, said: “We cannot thank each and every volunteer and indeed donator enough for their continued support to the Scottish Poppy Appeal.

“The response we have had, not just on Poppy Saturday but throughout the past three weeks, across the length and breadth of our country has been nothing short of phenomenal.

“On behalf of Poppyscotland and the Armed Forces community that we support, I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who gave so generously. Without such support, quite frankly the Scottish Poppy Appeal simply could not happen.”

The Scottish Poppy Appeal is Scotland’s biggest fundraising appeal, with millions of poppies being distributed around the country.

The money raised from the Appeal has enabled Poppyscotland to help countless men, women and families with issues linked to their time in the Armed Forces or with struggles adjusting from military to civilian life.

People can find out more at www.poppyscotland.org.uk.