The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal for South East Wales has been launched at an event in Caerphilly town.
A short service to remember the fallen was held on Saturday, October 29, at the cenotaph in the Twyn and was followed by the release of balloons, each representing a name on the memorial.
Lynne Woodyatt, Community Fundraiser with the Royal British Legion, said: “During the Poppy Appeal this year we’re asking people to widen their lens when they reflect on Remembrance. The Legion is here for all generations of the Armed Forces community, and it’s important to remember there’s a new generation that needs your support.
“When you pin your poppy on, or pause to remember, reconsider who you think of when you picture a veteran. Individuals and families from across the Armed Forces community need the Legion’s support, as well as our older veterans.
“Every donation received will make a real difference to the lives of Service men and women, veterans and their loved ones.”
The fundraising target in South East Wales is £900,000, which will go towards the Legion’s national target of £43 million to continue its work supporting members of the the Armed Forces community.
The Royal British Legion’s Area Manager for Wales Anthony Metcalf said: “The Poppy Appeal 2016 is encouraging the public to recognise the service and sacrifices made across all generations of the British Armed Forces.
“Service can come in many forms from being parted from family and loved ones for long periods of time, to physical and mental injury, and sadly making the ultimate sacrifice. The Legion’s role remains as contemporary and as vital as it has ever been supporting today’s generation of Service personnel, veterans, and their families whether living with an injury or illness, coping with bereavement or finding employment.
“We’re encouraging people to dig deep for this year’s Poppy Appeal to help us raise £43 million. The Legion’s work is entirely dependent on the public’s generous support – so please wear your poppy with pride, knowing that you are helping the Armed Forces community to live on.”
Caerphilly Castle will be lit red until Remembrance Sunday on November 13 as Cadw and the owners of other landmarks and historic buildings across Wales illuminate their buildings to mark this year’s Poppy Appeal.
The Great Gwent Poppy Run
A record 225 runners have signed up for this year’s Great Gwent Poppy Run – one of Gwent Royal British Legion’s main fundraising events.
Now in its sixth year, this year’s event is being held at 12pm on Sunday, November 6.
Called ‘Back to the Trenches’ the run will mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.
In commemoration of the bloody 141 day battle, which ended on Friday 18 November 1916, the start of the race will recreate the start of the battle.
Runners have been divided into two Battalion, the Fusiliers and Borderers and will be issued with their battalion T-shirts. They will be briefed as if it was shortly before 7.30am on Saturday, July 1, 1916, when the guns fell silent and the troops were marched to the trenches in a muddy field in the upper reaches of the river Somme, France.
They will then be marched in groups of 40 to the challenging course, led by the bands of the No1 Welsh Wing Band ATC from Maindy Barracks, Cardiff and Torfaen Sea Cadets Drum Corps from TS Kittiwake, Cwmbran.
This year’s challenging course is set up in a new location on farmland in Penpergwm, Monmouthshire.
The runners will scale the muddy banks of the Usk, using ropes and ladders go over the top, through the smoke of no-man’s land and following the path through the nearby ruined buildings, through the woods before breaking cover in the challenging hills of the Usk countryside. They will make their way over more obstacles, through streams and craters and through a “minefield” before making the no cover run for freedom, safety and home.
Gwent’s Poppy Appeal Organiser Mike Jones said: “This year’s Back to the Trenches has attracted a record entry field. By setting the course around the trenches of the Battle of the Somme, the course will really sort the wheat from the chaff. It will be tough, but fun.”