THE skies above Wiltshire were a sea of red as the Royal British Legion parachuting team launched the Wiltshire Poppy Appeal yesterday.

Jump4Heroes jumped out of a plane over Stonehenge to bring a large poppy down among the stones to present to the Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire, Sarah Troughton.

The jump was followed by the reading of an extract from in Flanders Fields by John McCrae.

Each year the Royal British Legion runs the Poppy Appeal campaign nationally to raise money to support past and present servicemen and their families.

This year marks the centenary of the start of the First World War, making the campaign all the more significant as the country reflects on the sacrifices made by servicemen and women in the past 100 years.

Swindon Advertiser:

Lord Lieutenant of Wiltshire Sarah Troughton with Jump4Heroes and local schoolchildren

The launch of the Wiltshire appeal came ahead of the Swindon branch’s own launch event which will take place on Saturday in the Brunel Centre, when the new chairman, Graham Jackson, will present the Swindon Mayor with a silk poppy.

April Porter, who is heading the campaign in Swindon this year, said: “It’s the centenary of the start of the 1914 war so we try to remember this and those men that died in the past.

“Every pound spent buying a poppy eventually makes its way to support the veterans, not just the old boys but the young ones too who have been involved in recent conflicts.

“Although we don’t officially launch the appeal until Saturday, I have already been out delivering poppies, and it has been a bit of a learning curve.

“Last year we raised around £40,000, so it would be great to raise £50,000, but whatever we raise I’m sure the people of Swindon will donate generously. I know that it’s also a bit of an ask because there are so many other charities out there that people want to support but I do hope that we reach that.”

Following the launch of the appeal on Saturday, there will be a Poppy Ball held at the Steam museum on November 1, featuring performances from the Band of the Royal Marines and the Military Wives Choir from the Shrivenham Defence Academy.

The evening, which has been organised by the Rotary Club and starts at 6.15pm, will also feature a three-course dinner, a disco, tombola and auction.

Tickets for the WIltshire Poppy ball cost £55 and the dress code is a dinner jacket or uniform.

To order your tickets call 01793 871183 or email thepoppyball@gmail.com.

On November 2, the remembrance events continue with a Festival of Remembrance held at he Wyvern Theatre with Sergeant Major Gary Chilton, from The Soldiers singing group, performing as well as the Academy Military Wives Choir and Wessex Male Choir.