Tesco extends support to Royal British Legion with biggest ever Poppy Appeal collection in stores

Tesco is stepping up support for The Royal British Legion for this year’s Poppy Appeal, with more collections than ever before taking place in Tesco stores across the UK. Tesco customers and colleagues have already raised around £15 million for The Royal British Legion over the past five years and Tesco is hoping this year’s collections will raise over £3.5m towards the appeal.

Collections will take place at Tesco stores across the UK, with more permanent collections in store so customers can buy a poppy at any time to help support serving, ex-Service personnel and their families. Every poppy helps raise the £1.6 million spent by the Legion each week to deliver direct, practical care and support to Armed Forces community.

The money raised by the Poppy Appeal collections in Tesco stores will support schemes such as the Legion’s free adventure holidays for young people from Service families to forget the challenges of being a Forces child. The fun-filled week long breaks provide a great opportunity for the youngsters to meet others in a similar situation to them and have a go at different activities, helping to improve their confidence and self-esteem.

The Royal British Legion’s Director of Fundraising Charles Byrne said: “The Royal British Legion is extremely grateful for the support that Tesco and its customers have shown for the Poppy Appeal, and we are thrilled that our volunteers will be collecting in store once again this year. The money raised by Tesco’s customers makes a huge difference to those we help, whether it’s families coping with the loss of a loved one, money and careers advice, a much-needed family break or a grant for people facing personal difficulty.”

Michael Kissman, Tesco UK Communications Director said: “Every year we look forward to welcoming The Royal British Legion volunteers to our stores and show our support for such a worthwhile cause. We’re proud to be holding more collections than ever this year and we hope that our customers and colleagues will help to make this year’s Poppy Appeal a great success.”

Hosting Poppy Appeal collections and volunteers is just one of the ways Tesco is supporting the Armed Forces community. Tesco also works with the Career Transition Partnership to help Service leavers’ transition into another career and has employed 42 ex-Service personnel over two years. This scheme is designed to use the leadership expertise of ex-Service personnel and help resettle them back into civilian life.

Ed Beckingham served in the Royal Air Force Regiment for five years, including a spell in Afghanistan, after which he was looking for new opportunities. Through the Career Transition Partnership Tesco supported him in his new career and he soon progressed to become store manager at Tesco’s Hitchin store. He said: “I left the RAF and had no idea what to do - I went to a Tesco briefing and I was amazed at the opportunities available. They’ve always been very quick to help me and have been really understanding of my background.”

The Poppy Appeal will be running in Tesco stores until 11 November so look out for The Royal British Legion volunteers or collection boxes in store.

ENDS