War veteran urges support for Poppy Appeal in unusual year

A war veteran from Darwen is urging everyone to continue to support the Poppy Appeal this year.

Simon Charnley, who served in Northern Ireland and Bosnia with the Queen’s Lancashire Regiment, is Chairman of the Darwen Royal British Legion.

In a year that has been far from normal, local RBL branches cannot do their usual fundraising activities, such as selling poppies and Remembrance Day merchandise in shops and town centres.

51 year old Simon said:

Sadly this year, due to Coronavirus restrictions, we’ve lost a lot of fundraising revenue. It’s usually a very busy time for the RBL – we would normally be out selling poppies, visiting schools, attending remembrance events and so on. It all feels very flat this year.

People can donate to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal online – visit www.britishlegion.org.uk. Anyone who makes an online donation can download a Remembrance Day poster to print out and display in their window.

Simon’s own experiences highlight the importance of Poppy Appeal fundraising to past and present servicemen and women. Simon was able to complete a course of therapy for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder thanks to funding from the Royal British Legion.

Simon said:

I wouldn’t be the person I am today if it wasn’t for the support of the Darwen RBL branch.

When I first went to meetings, I was suffering with PTSD and would sit in the corner not making eye contact and not speaking to anyone. But the support they gave me, and the therapy I’ve received, has helped me to rebuild my confidence, and my life. I’m a different person now.

As the new national lockdown comes into effect on Thursday 5 November and Remembrance Services are cancelled, the Royal British Legion is leading calls for a national doorstep two minute silence. People are encouraged to stand on their doorsteps at 11am on Remembrance Sunday, 8 November, to observe the silence and safely pay their respects to our armed forces.

Simon continued:

I hope the people of Blackburn with Darwen will show their support for servicemen and women past and present. The Darwen branch is supporting the campaign for a doorstep minute’s silence, and we’d also love to see windows across the borough decorated with children’s poppy drawings.

Coun Iftakhar Hussain, the Mayor of Blackburn with Darwen, added:

The act of remembrance is vital to keeping alive the memories of those who have died in wars over the years. Although this year’s plans for Remembrance Sunday and Remembrance Day have to be different, they are by no means less meaningful or poignant.

We will, safely, remember all those who sacrificed so much. Please pay your respects at home.