‘Fundraising gives back to our heroes’

This weekend’s Remembrance Sunday comes in the centenary year since the start of the First World War.
Sue Rose has been involved in the Hemel Hempstead Poppy Appeal for 17 years. Photo: Caters PhotographicSue Rose has been involved in the Hemel Hempstead Poppy Appeal for 17 years. Photo: Caters Photographic
Sue Rose has been involved in the Hemel Hempstead Poppy Appeal for 17 years. Photo: Caters Photographic

Following the summer’s solemn commemorations, Dacorum’s Royal British Legion branches have continued to take on their annual Poppy Appeal with vigour to ensure those fallen soldiers in the Great War – and every conflict since – are remembered.

A veteran of the appeal itself is Hemel Hempstead branch vice chairman Sue Rose, who has dutifully stood out in gradually declining autumn weather selling poppies for an incredible 17 years.

Sue said: “The good work the Royal British Legion does for veterans, families and young people is incredibly close to my heart.

Sue Rose and staff at the Sainsburys Apsley store mark the supermarket's 20th year supporting The Royal British Legion. Photo: Caters Photographic PNL-140411-120523001Sue Rose and staff at the Sainsburys Apsley store mark the supermarket's 20th year supporting The Royal British Legion. Photo: Caters Photographic PNL-140411-120523001
Sue Rose and staff at the Sainsburys Apsley store mark the supermarket's 20th year supporting The Royal British Legion. Photo: Caters Photographic PNL-140411-120523001

“Remembering the fallen heroes and supporting returning service personnel is hugely important, which is why I see fundraising as a thank you to them. We are just giving something back.”

For the past 10 years, Sue’s daughter Sarah has joined her at Sainsbury’s Apsley Mills to collect for the appeal – which raises funds for the care of veteran, war-wounded and bereaved families .

Sainsbury’s has been an official supporter of the appeal for two decades, and this year Apsley’s store manager and colleagues are doing more than ever to encourage customers to donate in the run up to Armistice Day on November 11, including volunteering their time to sell poppies and taking part in a static bicycle ride covering the distance from John O’Groats to Lands End.

Store manager Glen Sharp said: “We love having Sue and the team in the store – we often see them chatting to customers and sharing experiences of how they have been touched by conflict.

“We do everything we can to accommodate the fundraising team from The Royal British Legion so the charity can continue its work.

“This year marks both Sainsbury’s 20th anniversary of support and the First World War centenary, so our fingers are crossed for Sue and the team to raise more than ever.”

In Hemel Hempstead this Sunday, the Remembrance Day Parade will muster at Bank Court at 10.15am ahead of the start of the march towards the Boxmoor War Memorial at 10.30am.

This year’s route has been amemded due to building works in the Marlowes, so will begin at Bank Court, then onto Waterhouse Street before picking up the original route on The Moorend Roundabout and into Boxmoor. All are welcome to join the parade or meet at the memorial near St John’s Church in time for the 11am silence.

The Salvation Army Band will be in attendance at the Boxmoor monument to the fallen from 10.30am for the Armistice Day Parade on Tuesday , followed by a performance at the bandstand in Marlowes.

In Leverstock Green there will be a family worship service for remembrance day at Holy Trinity church from 10am, before an Act of Remembrance at the war memorial led by Revd Lizzie Hood at 10.50am.

Another Act of Rememrance will take place at the same time on Tuesday – an extra for this centenary year.

A class from Leverstock Green Primary School has been invited to lay rosemary posies for remembrance and to read poems.

The band-led Remembrance Day parade in Berkhamsted leaves from the Waitrose car park on Lower Kings Road at 2.45pm, heading towards a service at St Peter’s Church before marching back.

There will also be morning services in Tring and Little Gaddesden. For more details and information visit counties.britishlegion.org.uk/counties/beds-herts-counties or search Hertfordshire Poppy Appeal on Facebook.