Head sends out SOS to get Lancashire schoolchildren to help save the Poppy Appeal

Caring pupils at a village school are drawing on their artistic talents to make sure Remebrance Day is not forgotten in the coronavirus pandemic.
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Staff and pupils at Tarleton Community Primary were so worried that the annual Royal British Legion poppy appeal would suffer because of lockdown measures that they decided to do something to help.

When headteacher Chris Upton heard about a new initiative to ensure support for the local armed force’s community through pupil Lily Cookson whose family supports the distribution of poppies he knew he had to help.

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The RBL are asking children to draw, paint or colour a poppy on an A4 sheet of paper and stick them in the windows of their homes to show solidarity for the country’s heroes both past and present as well as the fallen and their families.

Bella and Ben have been busy painting poppies for their windows

Photos by Neil CrossBella and Ben have been busy painting poppies for their windows

Photos by Neil Cross
Bella and Ben have been busy painting poppies for their windows Photos by Neil Cross

And, while Chris was eager to get his own pupils involved, he is asking every other school to do the same by sending out an email asking them to get on board.

He said: " Like everything else, it is going to be really different this year. For a lot of service and ex-service personnel it is that time in the year where they really get to shine and receive everyone's respect.

"This is going to be potentially taken from them and we are not prepared to let this happen. Members within this group may well be suffering from issues around isolation and loneliness in the current pandemic. "

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The headteacher said the project was being led by the Lostock Hall Branch of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Finger painting is a great way to create the poppiesFinger painting is a great way to create the poppies
Finger painting is a great way to create the poppies

He added that over the years, Lancashire schools have benefited from visits from the branch’s chairman Mike Turner visiting schools to promote the Poppy Appeal.

Chris said: "He has worked tirelessly to promote the work of the legion and schools are very appreciative of how he has educated the children to consider others and the contribution others have made to support the freedoms they continue to enjoy today.

"It would be great if we could help the Royal British Legion and show respect and gratitude for our heroes by getting children from lots of schools to pull together and have homes across the county with poppies in their windows to show how appreciative we are of them and that they are not forgotten because of this virus."

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Tarelton CP holds an annual Remembrance Week and this year has adopted the theme of ‘Hidden Heroes’ inspired by heroes in the pandemic. Pupils will be learning about animals at war, women at war and the role of the code breakers of Bletchley Park and Alan Turing.

The youngsters at Tarleton CP school have been getting creative to support the annual poppy appealThe youngsters at Tarleton CP school have been getting creative to support the annual poppy appeal
The youngsters at Tarleton CP school have been getting creative to support the annual poppy appeal

Schools across the county are also finding other ways to commemorate Remembrance. At Bretherton Endowed Primary School pupils are preparing to paint pebbles and classes will be visiting their local war memorial .

At Rufford CE Primary School, the children will be having a sponsored ‘Poppy Run’ dressed in red to raise money for the Royal British Legion.

If you have children or grandchildren why not get them involved and encourage them to make a poppy and display it in their window?

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Additionally you can support Mike Turner and The Lostock Hall Branch RBL Poppy Appeal, using the details below.

(Please ensure that you Reference any donation as PoppyAppeal20).

Account Name: Lostock Hall Royal British Legion Branch

Account Number: 52453488 Sort Code: 09-01-54

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