The Malta branch of the Royal British Legion has launched the Poppy Appeal 2009. The Poppy Appeal takes place every year and raises funds for the Royal British Legion, the UK’s leading charity providing financial, social and emotional support to millions who have served or are currently serving in the British Armed Forces, and their dependants.  A red paper poppy is worn in support of the Poppy Appeal.

The Poppy Appeal takes place till Remembrance Day which is held on the second Sunday in November. Through this annual event, the UK pays homage to those who died in both world wars and in other conflicts from the early twentieth century to the present. 

The British High Commission in Malta is also supporting Poppy Appeal 2009. Poppies are available from the British High Commission and Agenda Bookshops in the run-up to Remembrance Day on 8 November, and the High Commissioner together with members of staff will be wearing the poppy proudly.

Two security staff at the High Commission, Joe Aquilina and Graham Clarke, are ex-servicemen of the British Armed Forces, and are particularly keen to promote the Poppy Appeal in Malta.  Joe Aquilina served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) for 23 years and Graham Clarke served in the British Army for nearly 26 years.  Clarke also worked for the United Nations for 7 months and served in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA).  Aquilina and Clarke are two of the thousands of ex-servicemen of the Royal Armed Forces living in Malta today. 

Supporting the Poppy Appeal (l-r): Royal British Legion Malta branch Chairman Mike Newick, British High Commissioner Louise Stanton, BHC members of staff Joe Aquilina and Graham Clarke, Royal British Legion Malta branch PRO Colin Pilling

British High Commissioner for Malta Louise Stanton commented:

“The Poppy Appeal is as relevant today as it was when it first started in 1921.  In 2008, the British Legion spent over £88 million carrying out work among the serving and ex-Service community, but they rely on funds raised from the Poppy Appeal to do this.   We know that in Malta, there are several thousand British and Maltese veterans who served with the British Armed Forces, a number of whom have been past recipients of the support provided by the Poppy Appeal.  I urge you to honour those who served and to continue to support them by helping the Royal British Legion raise as much money as possible with the Poppy Appeal, and make a difference to the lives of our heroes. ”

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