London Poppy Day 2022

By Lt Col Kez Mann

On Thursday 3rd November 2022 over 250 RLC officers and soldiers descended into London as part of the military contingent of the Royal British Legion’s (RBL) London Poppy Day (LPD), to raise funds for its annual Poppy Appeal.

Having been formed on 15 May 1921, bringing together four national organisations of ex-Servicemen that had established themselves after the First World War, the RBL has grown over the last 100 years into one of the most recognised and trusted charities in the country. As the largest Armed Forces Charity with 180,000 members and 110,000 volunteers, the RBL has an average annual revenue of £154.9M1 of which the Poppy Appeal r aises an average of £55M per year with London Poppy Day being the largest single event.

Initially organised by veteran volunteers from the RBL’s Lloyds of London Branch, the first London Poppy Day was in 2006 and started with 10 volunteers raising £500 which grew to 500 volunteers in 2011 raising £450K, to the current model which sees 1,600-2,000 volunteers (a mix of military, civilian and veteran volunteers) aiming for a target of £1M in a single day. Often

1RBL 2021 Annual Report and Accounts reported a revenue of £137.4M. Average taken over last 4 years. described as a unicorn, the sum of £1M has continuously eluded the volunteer community however on 3 Nov 22 they finally hit their target and raised an impressive £1,003,291.23.

As Service Personnel, charity and the sense of giving back is important to us; and from a personal perspective the two that mean the most to me are Macmillan Cancer Support and the RBL due to the support they provided my father in his final years. I have been involved in fundraising for the RBL for most of my career in one form or another. I got involved with London Poppy Day seven years ago, spending five years as Station Lead at Liverpool Street and the past two years as a Sector Lead covering City North where my responsibilities are the co-ordination of all activity across the five stations in my sector. Keen to raise the profile of the event, I’ve used my network to recruit heavily and as such this year the RLC’s component provided 23% of all military volunteers from the Tri-Service community with 11 of the 59 stations being led by RLC personnel including: 13 Regt, 10 QOGLR, 27 Regt, 132 Sqn as well as a number of other smaller units. It is estimated that the RLC contingent were largely responsible for 17% of the total sum raised.

Often supported by celebrities such as actor, documentary maker and Royal British Legion Ambassador Ross Kemp and multiple British Army Bands providing entertainment to commuters across London; the event is well received by members of the public. Ross Kemp who launched the event this year stated:

8 Lt Col Mann with actor Ross Kemp at

Liverpool Street station in 2019

8 RLC Corps Col, RLC Corps SM, City North

Sector Commander (Lt Col Kez Mann), Liverpool St Station Commander (Capt Jim Powell), Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas, Pipes of 2 RGR and RLC soldiers from 16 AABCT, 27 Regt RLC and 10 QOGLR

"This is such a special day where Londoners get the chance to meet Service Personnel in person and thank them for all they do for us.”

What it means to me - Capt James Powell (13 AA Sp Regt RLC) I have volunteered for London Poppy Day for six consecutive years now. For my first stint, I was thrown in at the deep end as a Deputy Station Commander which may not seem too high profile; but co-ordinating, manoeuvring and motivating 100+ soldiers from 16 AA BCT in a 13-hour window amongst the hustle and bustle of the London masses is no mean feat… The phrase herding cats comes to mind!

One might ask then why I do it. After much consideration, I can honestly say there isn’t one stand out reason but here it goes; I do it for the sense of pride having been part of something so big. I do it for the challenge of improving year on year and yet again raising the highest total of all station. I do it because I get to see our soldiers at their best representing the Army and finally, and most importantly, I do it for ‘our charity’ the RBL for they amazing work they do for our veterans and their families. This year I was fortunate enough to receive complimentary tickets to the Festival of Remembrance.

Visit to 10 Downing Street - SSgt Chimwemwe ‘Magic’ Musicha Having been involved as a volunteer selling poppies and merchandise for several years and now as a Station Commander, I was fortunate to be selected by the RBL for a once in a lifetime opportunity. With the country entering into the reflective period of Remembrance, I found myself on the news headlines being amongst the chosen few to present the UK British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with his poppy at 10 Downing Street. An absolute honour, the visit began with meeting the PM on the landing of the historical office and having a 20 min chat about The RLC and my involvement with the London Poppy Appeal. This was swiftly followed by the visitors joining the PM outside the iconic black door for a photo opportunity with the PM’s wife Akshata Murthy and their dog Larry.

Whilst there I was also given a tour of the PM’s house, a visit to the Cabinet Room, the Margret Thatcher Study and the recently well-known Pandemic Briefing Room. Not only was it extremely fulfilling being recognised by the RBL and offered this opportunity, but it was a great day for me personally and rewarding that I got to represent the Armed Forces and The RLC.

Attached RLC personnel lead 12 Regiment RA’s LPD effort SSgt Dei-Gyan Soldiers from 12 Regiment Royal Artillery’s REME Stores Section stationed at Thorney Island were not left out of the LPD military contingent and actively participated in this year’s event. SSgt Dei-Gyan led a team of about 20 excited officers and soldiers across 12 Regt RA who looked forward to enjoying this special day. Soldiers deployed to Brixton, Victoria and Blackfriars tube stations (three of the busiest tube stations in London).

For most, this was their first time taking part in the LPD. It was amazing to see young and confident soldiers come out of their daily routine of barrack life to support a worthy cause of raising funds to support veterans and serving soldiers. They effectively engaged with the public whose feedback brought nothing but motivation and smiles to faces. Especially for first timers to this event, witnessing the enthusiasm among soldiers and the willingness of the public to give support to the Armed Forces made the day momentous. It was a productive day out and having enjoyed ourselves we were equally impressed by the total amount raised. Everyone is looking forward to next year’s Poppy Appeal. Without a doubt I know 12 Regt RA’s REME stores section will be represented.

8 SSgt Chimwemwe ‘Magic ’Musicha inside 10 Downing Street with the PM Rishi Sunak

8 Interaction with the public during LPD

brought smiles to the faces of the 12 Regt RA stores section