90th Poppy Appeal launched at Surrey Sports Park

Mrs Goad and Professor Michael Joy OBE, High Sheriff of Surrey presented the first poppies in Surrey to Professor Nigel Seaton, Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and six In-Pensioners from the Royal Chelsea Hospital, a retirement and nursing home for former members of the British Army. In addition, Penelope Keith CBE DL recited the two original poppy poems composed during the First World War (“For the Fallen” and “In Flanders Fields”).

The 2011 Poppy Appeal, organised by the Surrey Royal British Legion, will raise money for ex-servicemen, women and their dependants in financial need. Last year’s Poppy Appeal in Surrey raised £1,044,816 - a new County record.

Professor Seaton says: “The University is delighted to be hosting the Surrey Poppy Launch in this the 90th anniversary year of the Royal British Legion and to support such an important fundraising drive whilst at the same time strengthening our links with the wider local community.”

The 90th Surrey Poppy Appeal Launch was attended by local luminaries including:

• Brigadier Simon Wolsey OBE, Commander of 2 (South East) Brigade
• Brigadier Alistair Deas MBE, Commandant of the Defence College of Logistics
• Chief Constable Mark Rowley QPM, Surrey Police
• Brigadier Donald Thwaites, President of the Surrey Royal British Legion
• Councillor Lavinia Sealy, Chairman of the Surrey County Council
• Mr Keith Ovens, Chairman of the Surrey Royal British Legion
• Mrs L D Moore MBE, Chairman of the Surrey Royal British Legion Women’s Section
• The Mayors and Chairs of all the Boroughs and Districts in Surrey as well as the Mayors of Croydon, Kingston, Richmond, Sutton and Merton.

The launch was possible thanks to the support of the Surrey County Appeals Committee.