Local Volunteers Wanted for This Year's Poppy Appeal
Chiswick's Royal British Legion planning expansion of activities
Elisabeth Whittaker (centre) with her planning team at a recent meeting
Chiswick’s Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal is set to expand this year, with organisers preparing for a larger and more visible campaign across the neighbourhood and appealing for extra volunteers to help meet demand.
Collections will begin on Thursday 22 October at Turnham Green tube station and will extend to several new venues, including Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer and Chiswick mainline station, marking the biggest local effort in years.
The renewed energy behind the appeal follows last year’s highly successful revival, when collections returned to Turnham Green station for the first time in many years and volunteers staffed stalls at local markets, schools, churches and shops. The campaign was led by Chiswick resident Elisabeth Whittaker, who stepped in after the local RBL branch fell into limbo. With the help of a committed team — and a boost from comedian and WW2 historian Al Murray — the appeal raised an impressive £30,459.31.
Elisabeth said she was “delighted with the generous response from so many local people last year” and hopes to build on that momentum with more collectors in more places across Chiswick. She is once again working closely with deputy organiser Julie Porter and Mark James, affectionately known by many shopkeepers as “the poppy man”, who has distributed collecting boxes around the area for years.
Al Murray (left) with Cllr Gerald McGregor; Mark James; Tony Currie; Cathie James and Elisabeth Whittaker
Volunteers are now being sought to help staff the expanded list of collection points. Anyone wishing to take part is encouraged to contact Julie on 07775 780815 or at julie.dauncey@zen.co.uk, or Mark at Mark@broadcastandmedia.co.uk. Collections will run until Remembrance Sunday and continue for a short period afterwards.
Former Chiswick Homefields councillor Gerald McGregor, who is also part of the planning team, said the Royal British Legion remains a lifeline for thousands of serving and ex-serving personnel and their families. He highlighted the charity’s work supporting older veterans, those facing social isolation, and individuals struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. The RBL provides a wide range of services to help veterans navigate the transition to civilian life, including support with employment, housing, financial hardship and health challenges. In the past year alone, it has responded to thousands of urgent requests for assistance and awarded grants to more than 23,000 veterans and their families.
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