The Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes will be the major winners from Blackpool FC’s Coca-Cola Championship league fixture against Scunthorpe United this Saturday.
The Seasiders will mark Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day with an Armed Forces Day at Bloomfield Road, with a large number of the serving and ex-serving community present for the game.
The Club’s official kit supplier and sponsor, JD Sports exclusive youth fashion brand Carbrini Sportswear, has kindly commissioned a limited edition Tangerine shirt embroidered with a poppy for the players to wear for the game.
Supporters will have the opportunity to bid for one of these truly unique shirts in an online auction- which will be signed by every member of the first-team squad – following the fixture, with all proceeds going to The Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes.
Blackpool FC Chairman Karl Oyston said: ‘The inclusion of the poppy on our shirt will allow us to pay our respects and remember all of those who have given their lives to fight for our freedom, while also raising funds to continue providing specialist care, treatment and financial support for all of those who have served and are serving in the Armed Forces.
‘The work done by both charities is extremely commendable and we are honoured to be showing our support.’
Russell Thompson OBE, The Legion’s Director of National Events and Fundraising, said: ‘I would like to thank Blackpool FC for their kind support for this year’s Poppy Appeal. The theme of this year’s Appeal is helping the Afghan generation of the Armed Forces and their families – now and for the rest of their lives. The money raised from the auction will go to directly benefit those who have fought and continue to fight for our country.’
Bryn Parry, Co-founder of Help for Heroes, added: ‘Help for Heroes are extremely grateful to Blackpool FC for their support.’
The Seasiders will also be doing their bit for Poppyscotland, with two separate shirts being made available for the charity to fundraise. The two shirts will be individually signed by Charlie Adam and Stephen Crainey.
Ian McGregor, Chief Executive of Poppyscotland, spoke of his gratitude: ‘We are very grateful to Blackpool FC for commissioning two signed Scottish poppy shirts for auction. We are also delighted that, even though they are away from home, Scots Charlie Adam and Stephen Crainey will be backing the Scottish Poppy Appeal. Many veterans are returning from active service suffering from multiple and complex issues. Poppyscotland needs to raise funds to provide vital year-round support and all money raised in Scotland is spent in Scotland.’
No replicas of these one-off limited edition shirts will be made available for sale. Further information on how to bid for one of these shirts will be made available on the Blackpool FC official website after the weekend`s game.
The Royal British Legion safeguards the welfare, interests and memory of those who are serving or who have served in the Armed Forces. They are one of the UK’s largest membership organisations and recognised as custodians of Remembrance. You can find more information with regards to the Poppy Appeal at poppy.org.uk
Help for Heroes was founded by Bryn and Emma Parry in October 2007 out of a desire to help the wounded Servicemen and women returning from Afghanistan and Iraq.
The message of the charity is simple: They are strictly non-political and non-critical; they simply want to help. They believe that anyone who volunteers to serve in time of war, knowing that they may risk all, is a hero. These are ordinary people doing extraordinary things and some of them are living with the consequences of their service for life. They may not be able to prevent our soldiers from being wounded, but together we can help them get better.
Poppyscotland supports veterans and their dependants in Scotland through the help of dedicated volunteers and donors. All money raised is spent providing financial assistance, funding a pensions advice service for veterans, providing grants and research to organisations that deliver specialist support to veterans in Scotland and supporting the employment of veterans with disabilities in the Edinburgh-based Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory.
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a commendable effort – those who died should never be forgotten!