Heavy Horse on the M8 decorated with a poppy

The Heavy Horse statue on the M8 at Baillieston is wearing a specially-designed poppy to celebrate the 2012 Scottish Poppy Appeal, organised by veterans’ charity Poppyscotland.

At an unveiling event at Glasgow Business Park, Army veteran and Scottish Poppy Appeal area organiser Ian Forsyth, 88, from Hamilton, inspected the Heavy Horse to check it will be properly attired before being visible to thousands of drivers every day over the next few weeks.

Following the success of the initiative in 2011, Poppyscotland was keen to display the poppy on the Heavy Horse again this year in order to enable as many people as possible to see the iconic emblem during its key fundraising period. The poppy has been created by the original sculptor, Andy Scott.

Ian Forsyth, who served with the 15-19^th Hussars in the Second World War, said: “I am very pleased to see this magnificent statue proudly wearing a poppy. The combination of a well-recognised landmark and an iconic symbol provides a great opportunity to raise awareness and support for the Scottish Poppy Appeal.”

Poppyscotland uses money raised from the Scottish Poppy Appeal to provide year-round support to veterans and their families in Scotland, who may find it hard to make the adjustment from military to civilian life, struggling with issues such as finances, housing and employment.

Photos by Mark Owens