Morecambe and Heysham poppy appeal still going ahead this year

Organiser Mal Neill said: “The appeal will still be held but in a very watered down format. Poppies will not be available from all the usual outlets such as the local corner shop, cafe or garage.

“For safety reasons they will only be available from a list of premises which will display a ‘Poppies Available Here’ sticker in their window.

“The usual stands will still be in situ in Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, The Arndale Centre and Westgate Lidl. These stands will only be staffed when we have staff available and we have stock available. Safety measures will be in place at these locations.

“There will be no street collections.

“We are hoping that pubs will agree to sell items from behind their bars. Again, due to Covid-19, there is going to be very limited stock available due to the factories where the items are made being closed during the lockdown period.

“It is our intention to put in place a garden of remembrance alongside the Centotaph this year where we will ask members of the public to purchase a wooden poppy cross, write the name of a veteran on, and place the cross in the garden. Posters will be displayed regarding this nearer the time. Morrisons will have a tree of remembrance in the foyer where people can purchase a poppy label and attach it to the tree. The stands will be in place from Monday October 26 until Saturday November 7.

“As with all charities, the Poppy Appeal is going to suffer this year but donations are still needed to help the members of the Armed Forces and their families.”