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The Poppy Appeal is a British tradition that has been going for over 100 years. The Poppy campaign was started in the aftermath World War One to help families devastated by the loss of their loved ones. Those who lost their lives fighting for the cause of freedom and democracy were remembered through the symbol of the poppy. Remembrance events are held across the United Kingdom each year, and poppies are worn to show respect and solidarity for those who gave their lives.
The Royal British Legion and PoppyScotland are the two organizations responsible for running and promoting the Poppy Appeal. Funds collected through the sale of poppies are used to help veterans of current and past conflicts and their families. The tradition of wearing poppies began in the aftermath of World War One, as a symbol of hope and remembrance. The poem, “In Flanders Fields,” written by Canadian doctor Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, describes the delicate red wildflowers that bloomed where over a million soldiers died between 1914 and 1918. Inspired by the poem, Anna Guérin, a French teacher turned war effort fundraiser, began selling poppies in designated days from September 1919. She then addressed the American, Canadian, and British legions to ask for the poppy to be acknowledged as a remembrance emblem.
In Scotland, Lady Haig opened Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in 1926, employing former veterans to make the flowers out of tissue. This is the hub that produces the poppies for Poppy Scotland’s poppy appeal. The Scottish poppy does not feature a green leaf and has four-lobed petals, while England and Wales’s poppy features two. Today, the Poppy Appeal raises millions of pounds every year, ensuring that those who served their country and their families are not forgotten.
The red poppy remains the most popular, representing the memories of those lost in World War One and other conflicts. However, different variations of poppies in various colors have been introduced to recognize soldiers of different backgrounds. A purple poppy is often worn to remember animals that have died in service, particularly horses. The Animal Purple Poppy Fund donates to charities including the Household Cavalry Foundation and the World Horse Welfare. A black poppy recognizes the contributions of black, African, and Caribbean communities during the war effort, as servicemen and servicewomen and as civilians. The white poppy represents all victims of war and is sold by the Peace Pledge Union.
Wearing a poppy is a personal choice, and the Royal British Legion emphasizes that there is no “correct” way to wear a poppy. Most people tend to pin one on their coat lapel. Wreaths, metal pin badges, charms, and brooches are also produced every year. The symbol has inspired various large-scale installations, such as the 900,000 ceramic poppies at the Tower of London in 2014, each of which represented the life of a British or colonial soldier who died fighting in World War One. The poppies were created by artist Paul Cummins and were sold to the public, raising more than £15million for service charities. In Scotland, landmarks install red lights as part of a nationwide “light up red” campaign. Today, the poppy continues to be an important symbol of remembrance across the UK
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