WHEN SOMEONE SERVES, THEIR FAMILY SERVES TOO

• The Royal British Legion’s 2026 Poppy Appeal will highlight the unique challenges and sacrifices faced by Armed Forces families

• To launch the Appeal, service personnel have set out on a one-day mission to deliver special poppies to deserving families across the country

• Dame Joanna Lumley encourages the nation to wear a poppy to show support and thank those who serve and their families

The Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal officially launches today (Thursday 22 October) and will shine a light on Armed Forces families, recognising the unique challenges and sacrifices they make in support of their loved ones who serve.

Started in 1921, the Appeal aims to raise more than £50 million to fund the RBL’s vital work supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families throughout their lives, whatever the need, whenever it’s needed.

When a partner or parent serves, they will often spend months away at a time, missing birthdays, anniversaries and first days at school. The RBL is there to support Armed Forces families from day one of service throughout their lives, including being there for them during deployment, helping with financial hardship, support after a bereavement, or caring for a loved one in old age.

To launch the Appeal today, representatives from the Royal Navy, Army, and RAF will set out on a mission to deliver four specially created poppies, made from the metal of Second World War Spitfires, to Armed Forces families across the country.

Beginning in Manchester, the launch will travel to North Wales, the RBL’s Battle Back Centre in Shropshire, and finish in London. Along the way, the special poppies will be presented to inspiring Armed Forces families, from one of the country’s youngest Poppy Appeal collectors, through to a family who made the ultimate sacrifice when they lost a loved one in service.

One of the poppies will be presented to Liam Farrelly-Swanston, 39, from Reigate, whose brother Lance Corporal Paul Farrelly was killed while serving in Iraq in 2006. Paul, who served with the Queen’s Dragoon Guards, had completed two tours of Afghanistan before deploying to Iraq on what was due to be his final tour. He was killed by a roadside bomb in Basra alongside a colleague. Over the years since Paul’s death, the Royal British Legion has remained a source of support for Liam and his family. Twenty years later, Liam remembers the devastation of losing his brother and the effect it had on loved ones:

“Losing Paul had a huge impact on our family. One of the things I’ve learnt since losing him is that grief doesn’t have to happen when a person is lost, it can come out years down the line. I will never forget waking up to all those missed calls from my mum.

“Now I remember Paul with immense love and pride – pride in the legacy he left behind for his family and all who knew him.

“To be receiving one of the special poppies today is a real honour, especially at the Iraq and Afghanistan Memorial. If Paul was here now, he’d want to make sure that everyone is remembered, not just him.”

Dame Joanna Lumley, a long-standing supporter of the Royal British Legion, whose father served as a Major in the 6th Gurkha Rifles, is backing this year’s Poppy Appeal. She said:

“I’m extremely proud to be supporting this year’s Poppy Appeal, and this year’s family theme feels particularly meaningful to me.

“Having grown up in an Army family, travelling with my father’s postings, I’ve seen firsthand how much military service shapes family life. When someone serves, their loved ones share in the uncertainty, the time apart and the sacrifices that come with it.

“I’d encourage everyone to get behind the Royal British Legion this year and show their support. Wearing a poppy is such a simple thing to do, but it means an enormous amount to those who serve, to veterans and, of course, to their families.”

Lucy Inskip, Director of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, said:

“The Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal brings the nation together and helps us raise vital funds needed to support the Armed Forces community.

“This year, we’re proud to be highlighting that when someone serves, their family serves too, recognising the families behind those who serve and the unique sacrifices they make.

“We want to encourage the public to go out and show their support for the Appeal this year. From short-term relief to lifelong support, your donation enables the RBL to help the Armed Forces and their families, whatever the need, whenever it’s needed.”

At any given moment, the RBL is supporting around 8,000 members of the Armed Forces community with expert advice and practical support, all of which would not be possible without the generous donations of the public and the dedication of the charity’s 50,000 collectors and volunteers.

Last year, the Royal British Legion supported more than 20,000 households across 65 countries, securing over £25 million in compensation or benefits for veterans and awarding over £9 million in grants to Armed Forces families to help with accommodation, food, clothing and essentials.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

For the full bios and pictures of those taking part in the launch, please click here: [https://tinyurl.com/yn7awzxn].

This link will also be updated throughout launch day with photography from each stop.

For more information and interview requests, please contact the Royal British Legion press office: PRTeam@britishlegion.org.uk

Launch day schedule

Three service personnel will set off on mission to deliver the special poppies:

• Petty Officer Amber Donaldson, 25, Royal Navy, from RNAS Yeovilton/HMS Heron. Instagram: phyzwithclubz [https://www.instagram.com/phyzwithclubz/?hl=en]

• Private Katie Brazier, 22, Royal Anglian Regiment, currently based at Sandhurst with the Army digital engagement team. Instagram: katieb.runs [https://www.instagram.com/katieb.runs]

• Sergeant Cameron Lewis, 25, RAF, Air Traffic Controller based at RAF Odiham. Instagram: camlewis01 [https://www.instagram.com/camlewis01]

1) Manchester Victoria Station

• Time: 07:00 – 09:00

• Poppy recipient: Ivy Knighton-Leake, 6, from Bradford

When her father, Steve, received support from the RBL after leaving the military, Ivy was inspired to begin collecting for the Poppy Appeal

• Presented by: Private Katie Brazier, Army

2) Bodelwyddan, North Wales

• Time: 10:30 – 11:30

• Poppy recipient: Carolann Catherty, 80, from North Wales

• Carolann is a member of the RBL’s Bodelwyddan branch, where she volunteers to support families in her local community. Her husband served in Aden with the Royal East Kent Regiment.

• Presented by: Petty Officer Amber Donaldson, Royal Navy

3) The Royal British Legion’s Battle Back Centre, Lilleshall

• Time: 12:30 – 14:00

• Poppy recipient: Neil Fellingham, 38, from Ipswich

Neil Fellingham served for over 12 years in the RAF as Senior Aircraftman Technician, until his career was cut short when he sustained a serious leg injury. The RBL supported Neil, and his young family, through the Invictus Games.

• Presented by: Sergeant Cameron Lewis, RAF

4) Iraq and Afghanistan Memorial, Victoria Embankment Gardens, London

• Time: 17:00 – 18:30

• Poppy recipient: Liam Farrelly-Swanston, 39, from Reigate

Youngest sibling of Lance Corporal Paul Farrelly, who was tragically killed by a roadside bomb in Basra, Iraq, in 2006

• Joined by the three service personnel who have helped launch the Appeal

• Special attendance from Dame Joanna Lumley, who will present Liam with his poppy

The special poppies

www.Icarusoriginals.com

Icarus has crafted these bespoke poppies using metal from the iconic Spitfire fighter plane, creating a meaningful connection to the courage, resilience and bravery that continues to inspire generations today.

Key dates and events to note during the Poppy Appeal include:

22 October – National Launch of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal

29 October – The Royal British Legion’s London Poppy Day

30 October – Field of Remembrance, the Royal British Legion National Remembrance Gardens, Staffordshire

7 November – The Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance, Royal Albert Hall

8 November – The Royal British Legion’s March Past the Cenotaph, Whitehall

11 November – Armistice Day, Two-Minute Silence

The Royal British Legion

The RBL is the UK's largest charity dedicated to bringing society together to recognise, remember, and support the Armed Forces community, and ensuring that their unique contribution is not forgotten. The RBL is well known for the annual Poppy Appeal and its emblem the red poppy. For further information, visit rbl.org.uk.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OfficialPoppyLegion

Instagram: @royalbritishlegion

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