Every year The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal raises millions to help The Armed Forces Community and assist with Remembrance. This vital work includes assistance to veterans in need, and helps make sure their sacrifices are appreciated and not forgotten. Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force has always considered supporting the Royal British Legion’s work to be a top priority.
With the pandemic severely affecting this year’s Poppy Appeal, No2 Company Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force wanted to ensure that money could still be raised and their cadets could still take part in this important work.
Some of the cadets involved.
SSI Marc White devised the idea of getting cadets to take part in a fundraising video, with one cadet from each detachment being featured. 2 Coy Training Officer Lt. Kate Blundell appealed for help on Facebook, and then chose cadets to take part and sent out SSI White’s script to them, for which they would each read one segment, telling the story of The Appeal. As well as helping with fundraising, this could also contribute to cadets completing the ‘Cadet in The Community’ segments of their training syllabus.
Although the fact poppies grew on First World War battlefields is widely known, they felt the exact origins of the Poppy Appeal, (being related to John McCrae’s famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ and subsequently first worn by campaigner Moina Michael), were less commonly understood, and they wanted to take the opportunity to tell people more about it.
St Neots Detachment Commander SSI Alan Stagg was chosen to front the video, as he was considered to be an excellent role model and representative of fine leadership within the Company.
The videos arrived in different formats, requiring the help of SSI White’s work-place colleague, Lorenza Samuels (Head of Media at Oaks College) to produce the finished product. The final video reflects the enthusiasm, commitment and diversity of Cambridgeshire Cadets.
Lt Blundell said; ‘I would like to thank SSI White and everyone who contributed to the making of this video. Without Staff White’s idea and commitment, we would not have been able to complete this. It is an excellent example of our young people remembering the past and contributing to the future.’
Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force Volunteer and military veteran Robert Bond, who died earlier this year, is also commemorated at the end of video.
You can donate to 2 Coys Poppy Appeal at https://gf.me/u/y4dqc7
Text by P.I. Stuart
