Forces champion takes up the reins for Poppy Appeal in Cannock Chase

A council's ‘Armed Forces Champion’ has stepped in after concerns that a lack of volunteers could hit this year’s Poppy Appeal in Cannock Chase.

Former Royal Marine, Councillor David Williams (pictured), has organised an event next week at the council’s Civic Centre for people and groups wanting to get involved in helping the Royal British Legion’s (RBL) annual appeal.

Branches of the RBL and regimental associations are expected to be represented - with local community groups, organisations and businesses also invited to the event which gets underway at 6pm on Thursday 5 September.

The Poppy Appeal is the RBL’s biggest fundraising campaign held during the period of Remembrance in November. Every year thousands of volunteers across the country help raise millions of pounds to support the armed forces community. 

And on Thursday (5 September), Mark Smith, the North Staffordshire Poppy Appeal manager, will be sharing ideas and initiatives from across the region as part of plans to organise the campaign for 2024 and beyond. It will be held at Chamber of the council HQ at Beecroft Road, Cannock.

Councillor Williams, who is the Armed Forces Champion, said the aim was to ensure the appeal in Cannock Chase continued to be a success.

He said: “Our community has great respect and affection for our armed forces which is visibly demonstrated by the numbers turning out for Remembrance Day, and other military events, across the district - and I know local people and businesses will want to show that support for military personnel past and present with this important annual appeal.”  

“Our local authority has made a commitment to support and honour those who have served in the military, and their families, recognising and remembering the sacrifices they have made - and this first networking event will be instrumental in finding new ways to encourage more people to come on board with the Poppy Appeal.”

Mark Smith said: “This event is a great opportunity to bring those who care about our armed forces together and build on the success of the Poppy Appeal in Cannock Chase for 2024 and many years to come.

“It is the chance to find out more about what we need from volunteers, to discuss the best ways to drive forward the Appeal, and how we as an organisation will be able to support them.

“I am grateful to Cannock Chase council and Cllr Williams for taking up the baton to start things rolling, and to all the amazing volunteers that are out there already.” 

The event will take place between 6pm and 7.30pm in the Chamber of the council HQ at Beecroft Road, Cannock.

To find out more about how you can get involved contact Mark msmith1@britishlegion.org.uk or on 07920 378588.