Skegness poppy installation awarded vital funds
An appeal from a charity that supports members of the armed forces resulted in a donation from our annual campaign that encourages festive kindness.
The Skegness branch of The Royal British Legion in Lincolnshire was awarded funds to help with the costs of creating a poppy installation in the autumn.
The donation was part of our yearly community kindness campaign, which will see us support 22 local specialist organisations, charities, food banks and events across its communities to the tune of £82,135.00, with around £24,000 in the Lincolnshire area.
The poppy nets were originally set up in September in an empty unit donated to the project by Hildred’s Shopping Centre in the heart of Skegness. Throughout September and early October all the donated poppies were attached to the nets which were then hung from the Clock Tower in the town until Friday 15 November. They have now been returned to the shop unit and are still available for visitors and residents to view and add a poppy.
Tracy Turner, Vice Chair of the Skegness branch of The Royal British Legion said: “We are humbled by the donation Platform gave to us to help with our poppy installation. The poppy is both a symbol of Remembrance and sacrifice, carrying a wealth of history and meaning with it. It was a very moving project for the local and wider community in Skegness to be involved with and meant so much to so many people. We will continue to show our support for the service and sacrifice of our armed forces, veterans and their families.”
Samantha Smith, our Community Engagement Officer said: “We first heard about the poppy appeal from customers who attend our Community Hub at one of our schemes in Clarke Way in the town. As a group, they decided they wanted to get involved in making poppies for the installation. It was such a worthwhile project and wonderful to be able to give something back to The Royal British Legion. Donations are already being taken for 2025 and we are keen to be involved once again!”
The Skegness branch of The Royal British Legion would like to encourage people to send in knitted or crocheted poppies for its 2025 project.
Photo caption : l to r, Darren Dodds, Community Engagement Officer, Platform Housing Group; Tracy Turner, Vice Chair of the Skegness branch of The Royal British Legion; Michael Bruce, Director of Platform Hub and Income Management, Platform Housing Group; Kevin Woolley, Branch Standard Bearer, The Royal British Legion and Neil Greaves, Head of Localities and Community Safety, Platform Housing Group.