Wilmslow Poppy Appeal off to a flying start

Giant poppies have once again been tied to lamp posts around the town centre in the run up to Remembrance Day.

Wilmslow Town Council made a £300 donation to the Wilmslow Poppy Appeal for the second consecutive year to fund 100 Event Poppies which have once again been tied to the lamp posts by local resident and volunteer Stuart Redgard.

Matthew Jackson, Town Clerk of Wilmslow Town Council, said "The initiative was very well received last year both by residents and by other towns and parishes. The Town Council has received numerous calls from councils in the north west (whose representatives drove through the town when they were up last year) enquiring as to where we had got the poppies from. I think that we will see more areas doing the same this year."

Twenty-five large poppies have also been put up on Chapel Lane, mainly funded by donations from members of Chapel Lane Businesses Group, and in Handforth and Styal, funded by the parish council.

Khumi Burton, co-ordinator of the Wilmslow Poppy Appeal, said "The Poppy Appeal is unique to us .. no other country in the world does this. The putting up of the Event Poppy shows that the towns are proud to be associated with this very worthwhile charity and show we care in a small way."

Once again volunteers are manning poppy stalls in Waitrose and Sainsbury's and for the first time they also have a stand in Lidl, Summerfields where volunteer Suzanne Curley has been most days.

Khumi Burton added "Lots of boxes have gone out but this year we have not blitz every business in Wilmslow due to circumstances beyond our control. If anyone wants a box of poppies all they have to do is ring me on 07821288975 and we will deliver as soon as we can, within the day!"

Tatton MP George Osborne was in Wilmslow on Thursday, 3rd November, and met with volunteers at Sainsbury's to lend his support to the annual Poppy Appeal.

George said: "Remembrance Day is the moment when we remember the many, many people who gave their lives for our country, including those most recently in conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan. The Poppy Appeal brings the whole nation together and it is wonderful to see everyone coming together for this national commemoration."

The Army Cadets will be around the town centre on Saturday 5th and Saturday 12th November and they are also doing extra sessions on Sunday in Lidl and Waitrose. Sixth form students from Wilmslow High School are also helping for the first time this year.

On Saturday, 29th October, the Dean Row Guides did a bucket collection in Waitrose whilst the Wilmslow Girl Guides and Brownies carried out one in Sainsbury's.

Khumi Burton commented "All of them enjoyed the day and also I hope this will install in them a sense of giving their time for those who sacrifice and fought for the freedom we enjoy today."

Photos: George Osborne visits volunteers selling poppies in Sainsburys, Khumi Burton, Osborne and Martin Watkins, Chairman of Wilmslow Town Council. Louise Richardson and Julie Dawn Potts on Chapel Lane and Khumi Burton and volunteer Suzanne Curley and Sixth form students from Wilmslow High School.

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Wilmslow Poppy Appeal