Tag: Scottish Poppy Appeal 2025

Scottish Poppy Appeal 2025 ends on a high during final fundraising weekend

Thousands of volunteers took to streets, shopping centres and supermarkets for the final weekend of fundraising for the 2025 Scottish Poppy Appeal.  

Affectionately known across the country as Poppy Saturday, the day saw an army of volunteer collectors – including veterans, young cadets and members of the public – from Glasgow to Galashiels, Edinburgh to East Kilbride and beyond, all make another outstanding effort to raise vital funds to support the Armed Forces community in Scotland. 

Today, at 11am, the nation will pause for two minutes of silent reflection on Remembrance Sunday, knowing that Poppy Saturday has once again been a great success, with strong support and generous donations.

Richard Todd, National Poppy Appeal Manager – Scotland, was delighted with the response to this year’s appeal, and said: “The support we have had, not just on Poppy Saturday but throughout the past three weeks, across the length and breadth of our country has once again been outstanding.

“Every donation makes a difference and helps provide vital, often life-changing support for current or former members of the Armed Forces and their families whether that is overcoming challenges related to financial difficulties, employment, housing, mental health, or any other number of areas.

“Quite literally, when a veteran’s life starts to unravel, Poppyscotland helps them piece it back together.

“So, on behalf of Poppyscotland and the Armed Forces community that we support, I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated so generously, or gave up their time to volunteer, allowing us to continue to offer help every step of the way.” 

The Scottish Poppy Appeal is Scotland’s biggest fundraising appeal, with millions of poppies being distributed around the country during October and in the run up to Remembrance Sunday.

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

Landmarks to Light Up Red for Scottish Poppy Appeal

Armed Forces charity Poppyscotland is calling on businesses, tourist destinations and landmarks across the country to ‘Light Up Red’ to raise awareness of the 2025 Scottish Poppy Appeal.

From castles to council buildings, and schools to statues, the charity is urging some of Scotland’s most iconic buildings to show their support in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday on 9 November.

Last year, almost 200 destinations took part from Stornoway to Selkirk, including The Kelpies, Smeaton’s Bridge in Perth, Stornoway Town Hall and the University of Glasgow. The charity hopes to surpass this total in 2025.

Any building with external lighting can take part simply by adding red gel filters to its lights, joining this striking visual display of remembrance. Previous participants include castles, abbeys, war memorials, bridges, lighthouses, cranes and fountains.

The Scottish Poppy Appeal is Scotland’s biggest fundraising campaign, raising more than £2 million for the charity’s welfare work with veterans, serving personnel and their families.

Earlier this month, Scots chart-topper Cammy Barnes helped send 2.1 million poppies, handmade by veterans at Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Edinburgh, on their journey around the country ahead of the Scottish Poppy Appeal launch next week.

Richard Todd, National Poppy Appeal Manager (Scotland), said: “Light Up Red is always a fitting and poignant tribute to our Armed Forces community, and we know it means a lot to them to see this visible support for their contribution, past and present.

“We have had cathedrals, museums, bridges, racecourses, schools, churches, ships and even a telephone box join in. It is always wonderful to see so many Scottish landmarks lighting up red for the Poppy Appeal, and we have been delighted by how this idea has captured people’s imaginations.

“We are very grateful for the support of so many businesses and organisations.”

For more information about how to ‘Light Up Red’ for Poppyscotland and the 2025 Scottish Poppy Appeal, visit www.poppyscotland.org.uk/light-up-red or contact Clare Shaw at c.shaw@poppyscotland.org.uk.