THE Cumbria Poppy Appeal will be launched at The Lanes Shopping Centre in Carlisle at noon on Saturday October 24.

The centre has joined forces with StagedRight to create the launch and ideas are currently being pulled together to reflect concert performances for ‘the troops’ throughout the years. It will feature songs by forces sweetheart Vera Lynn while the young people from StagedRight will also reflect the more up to date concerts which have been held in Iraq and Afghanistan.

And the Royal British Legion is inviting people to uncover the story behind the poppy during the Poppy Appeal 2015. From the red poppy’s origins as a symbol of Remembrance and hope, to the modern stories of how the Legion helps the Armed Forces community in the county today.

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Alan Whitmore, Community Fundraiser for Cumbria and the Isle of Man at The Royal British Legion, said: "The poppy is an instantly recognisable symbol of respect for those who've made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts past and present.  As the nation's custodian of Remembrance, the Legion is committed to helping everyone understand the importance of Remembrance, so those sacrifices are never forgotten.

"The generosity of the British public helped the Legion answer over 450,000 calls for help in the last year. The money raised from the Poppy Appeal goes towards the Legion’s work with current serving personnel, veterans and their families, including innovative dementia care, theatre recovery projects, world-leading research on blast injury studies, and Legion-owned seaside break centres.

"This year we want everyone to uncover the story behind the poppy and learn how your donation helps today’s Armed Forces community. The Legion does amazing work with the children of current Forces families all through the generations to Second World War veterans.

Charles Byrne, Director of Fundraising at The Royal British Legion, said:  “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 £41 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.”

The Legion’s national target this year is £41 million to continue its vital work delivering practical, through life care and support to the Armed Forces community.