Schoolchildren help launch Poppy Appeal

Schoolchildren have helped launched this year's Poppy Appeal in Herefordshire.

This year, Pencombe Primary School was chosen to support the launch of the region’s annual Poppy Appeal, which this year is encouraging the nation to recognise the unseen service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces, past and present, under the theme ‘Remember Together’.

Alongside children from Pencombe Primary School, staff members and members of the local Pencombe community, Lucy Aldridge, the Legion’s new Pencombe Poppy Appeal Organiser, was present to officially launch the Herefordshire Poppy Appeal at Pencombe Primary School.

Encapsulating the ‘Remember Together’ message further,  we planted a tree and blessed it to remember those that made the ultimate sacrifice, including one of the school’s own former pupils, William Aldridge, Lucy’s son, who died in Afghanistan in 2009.

Lucy said, ‘“Having the opportunity to assist in supporting the wider military community through the work of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal is certainly very personal to me - as a proud mother, granddaughter and great niece, who has known loved ones serve and sacrifice across all disciplines of the Armed Forces.

“Returning to Pencombe CofE Primary School for the Herefordshire launch of the 2019 Poppy Appeal as a Poppy Appeal Organiser, a decade on from losing William, to meet with children, parents and grandparents who remember Will or have learned of him as a former pupil, is so unbelievably special and comforting to me and William’s younger brothers, who also attended the launch of the Appeal and to witness the planting of a Rowan Tree, (symbolising courage & protection) by former Headmistress Chloe Evans and current Head of the School, Victoria Goodman. Emily Walker, a former Pencombe pupil and recipient of the William Aldridge Award (resilience) also attended. Spanning generations, in one remarkable Herefordshire village school, it demonstrates how important and meaningful remembering together truly is.”

Mrs Goodman, The Head of Pencombe School said, “Pencombe were honoured to be asked to be the launch school for the Herefordshire Poppy Appeal this year. The children, the members of staff, the families and the wider community were able to ‘remember together’ and to commemorate the memory of William with his family. Having an opportunity to also share our own personal stories ignited nostalgia as we remembered those we miss. Today was a memorable occasion that we will carry forward throughout Remembrance.”

Sarah Jones Community Fundraiser for Herefordshire Poppy Appeal, “I was thrilled to organise this year’s Poppy Appeal Launch for Herefordshire in Pencombe. Lucy has joined our Poppy Appeal family of volunteers this year and I wanted to capture the beautiful story of Pencombe School who come together every year to remember their former pupil, William.

“Such acts of Remembrance and support for the Poppy Appeal demonstrate the Legion’s dedication to shining a spotlight on the many hidden contributions and sacrifices made by the Armed Forces community every day.”

The fundraising target in Herefordshire this year is £260,000.The money raised will enable the Legion to continue its vital work delivering life-long support to Service and ex-Service personnel and their families through hardships, injuries and bereavements.

The Legion uses donations in many ways including providing crisis grants, sport and art-based recovery programmes, specialist dementia care, lobbying the government on issues that affect our community and advising and supporting with benefits and money issues.