Poppyscotland

On the face of it, you may think of a number of reasons, not least of which might be the current financial climate and higher than normal rates of unemployment.

Let me begin with an apology. While it may seem that Scotland has yet to experience any sort of summer, I’m afraid this blog is all about Christmas. I am sorry for starting a discussion about the Festive period in June, but please allow me to explain.

I used to think that volunteering for Poppyscotland was all about standing in the street selling Poppies in November. How wrong could I be!

Challenge events are growing more and more popular as a way to test stamina and raise money for charity at the same time. This year I have set my own challenge and, at 07.00 on 11th June, I and my lifelong friend Iain Willis will get on our bikes at John O’Groats and begin our cycle to Land’s End.

In the week that Poppyscotland began running online advertising to promote leaving the charity a legacy, a poll commissioned by Standard Life showed that 71% of respondents would not include charities in their will. Furthermore, 43% said that they would rather leave their estates to family and frien

Yesterday's announcement that the 2010 Scottish Poppy Appeal raised £2,343,150, an increase of 5% on the previous year, is wonderful news in itself. It is however, even better news for veterans and their families.

Recent events in Libya have once again put the work of our Armed Forces, and the many demands placed on them, very firmly in the spotlight.

BBC One’s Panorama programme tonight (Wednesday 9th February) will focus on a number of issues affecting the Armed Forces community . I’m keen to get your thoughts on whether the issues raised are consistent with your experience of leaving the Forces, or of friends that have left. You can read a

Ninety years ago Field Marshall Earl Haig came upon a group of French war widows selling paper poppies on the streets of London. He quickly recognised that poppies could become a symbol to unite the nation in grief and support of those who had fallen, and importantly, provide a mechanism for raisin

One month on since the end of the 2010 Scottish Poppy Appeal and the poppy tins continue to flow in. Our counting continues but delays caused by the recent spell of poor weather, the great many individual and corporate donations that have still to come in and other fundraising activities to account