Poppies on their way for November campaign

FIVE MILLION POPPPIES DISPATCHED FROM POPPY FACTORY FOR NOVEMBER POPPY APPEAL     

Five million poppies have been loaded onto trucks from Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory this week for distribution to hundreds of volunteers across Scotland in preparation for the 2013 Scottish Poppy Appeal, organised by veterans’ charity Poppyscotland.

The 40 veterans with disabilities who work at the Edinburgh-based Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory hand-assemble five million poppies and 10,000 wreaths every year for the November campaign. The poppies are then sent to Poppyscotland volunteers who, with teams of collectors, organise public collections and ensure poppies are visible in shops, supermarkets, schools and businesses across the country.

The making of poppies and wreaths is a year-round process. However, the Factory is anticipating an increased demand for wreaths and poppies next year, as events get underway to mark the start of the First World War centenary commemorations. People organising special remembrance and commemorative activities in 2014 are urged to place their orders as early as possible to ensure items will be available.

Factory Manager Charlie Pelling explained: “All Scotland’s poppies and wreaths are made by hand so it’s a time-consuming process. We expect an upsurge in orders for 2014 and beyond and our advice to people wishing to lay tributes at centenary events is to get their orders in as early as possible so we can fulfil the demand.”

Wreaths for 2014 can be ordered from the Factory online at www.ladyhaigspoppyfactory.org.uk

The 2012 Scottish Poppy Appeal raised £2.58 million. The money raised is used by Poppyscotland to provide vital support to veterans and their families living in Scotland, from all conflicts, who may suffer from financial, physical and psychological issues as they struggle to adjust to civilian life.