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LEST WE FORGET

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24 October 2008

By David Yuill
dyuill@southwarknews.org

RESIDENTS OF Southwark are turning their back on the Royal British Legion's poppy appeal, despite previously being one of the strongest areas for collections, it is claimed.

The iconic paper poppy goes on sale this weekend and has been used by the British Legion for decades to raise funds to provide financial, social and emotional support to ex-serviceman and their families.

But the numbers of sellers in the borough, one of London’s worst hit in the Second World War, are rapidly falling away.

Southwark branch distributor, Beatie Hall, told the 'News' that she was banging her head against a brick wall: "Only two out of the 40 new customers that I wrote to have agreed to take poppies. We have got the same old 50 or so regular places who do it every year, but we’re lacking interest from new people."With a record breaking £30 million being raised by the national appeal last year, Hall is convinced that the buyers are definitely out there - just without the sellers.

She said: "There is not a lack of people wanting to buy poppies. Last year at Waterloo, there were queues of people waiting to get theirs. There are just not enough people selling them.

"What we are lacking is the man on the street. People seem to be turning their back on the Poppy Appeal, which is such a shame. If it wasn't for our regular collectors, then we just wouldn't get them sold."

One such regular, said to be among London's biggest collectors and who will take his place outside Waterloo station on Saturday morning, is 76-year-old Graham Gordon. "He is brilliant," said Hall. "Graham starts at 7am and finishes at 7pm. He is non-stop for the entire two weeks. He is an old boy who has been doing it for the last ten years at least.

"People like Graham are few and far between and there are not enough younger people coming through to help out."
Despite the capital, which raised over £2.7 million last year alone, having the largest share of the country's 300,000 volunteers, regional fundraiser Elvi Soria is desperate for more. She said: "The Royal British Legion is dedicated to serving those who serve and our annual Poppy Appeal is vital to allow us to do this.

"Many of our usual collectors are older people, who are finding it harder to assist us and in order for the Poppy Appeal to continue, it is now time for some new faces to step forward to take their place."

Patricia Tiedman, the secretary of the Southwark branch, based at Braganza Street in Kennington, is calling on local residents to make sure Southwark is at the forefront of this year’s appeal. She told the 'News': "The people of Southwark have traditionally always been brilliant, but the numbers are falling as our elder residents pass on and people move away.

"We are looking for volunteers across Southwark, but are particularly desperate at Waterloo underground station.
"Stacks of people go through there every day in and out of the city, but we do not have enough volunteers to get down there."

With membership and numbers dropping drastically across the country, Tiedman, who, with her husband, has been involved for over 40 years, insists that the Legion needs more support now than ever before. "People tend to associate the Poppy Appeal solely with the Great War and World War II," said Pat. "But there are many conflicts from the Falklands, Korea, Ireland and the ongoing wars out in Iraq and Afghanistan. There are servicemen and families of all ages still very much in need of support - and it is up to us to give that to them."

Cyril Herbert, of the struggling Bermondsey and Rotherhithe Branch, has resigned himself to the belief that the poppy street-seller is more or less redundant. "The poppy itself will never die off," said Herbert. "It is an important national emblem but the mode of collection is finished streetwise. People aren't prepared to stand out in the street for fear of getting whacked over the head."

Herbert believes that more shops should be forced into taking collection tins.

To volunteer for this year’s appeal, contact the London Poppy Appeal on 020 7582 5929.

Terry Banks, 66, Bermondsey, retired
A lot of people still love it. It should be remembered for both wars.
A lot of young people don't take any notice these days.

Colin Wyndam, 62, Bermondsey, retired
Me and the wife we always buy poppies - most of Bermondsey does.
I think it's a good idea.

Barry Rushworth, 62, Bermondsey, retired
I think there's going to come a time when all the old 'uns are dead, and that will be forgotten. It'll be a shame because the old ones made it what it is. It'll be a sad day.

Laura Wieser, 22, Bermondsey, student
The generation that was involved are now dying. There are less and less veterans.
It was a sign of respect, there are less physical reminders now.

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