Remembrance Day poppy: Where can you buy one during lockdown?

In the lead up to Armistice Day on 11 November every year, many people in Britain choose to commemorate the war dead by wearing poppies, a symbol of hope and resilience against adversity.

The red flowers, sold officially by the Royal British Legion, are a token of remembrance that came about because of the fields of poppies that resiliently grew on the battlefields of western Europe after the First World War - despite the landscape having been destroyed by fighting.

Other people choose to wear white poppies, distributed by the Peace Pledge Union (PPU), a pacifist organisation, to remember victims of all wars around the world, as well as promoting a commitment to peace rather than, what it describes as, the glorification of war. 

Normally people can pick up their red poppy throughout late October and early November in public places like train stations and high streets, as Royal British Legion volunteers work to raise money. But this year, with local lockdowns and the continued presence of Covid-19, the organisation has had to adapt.

On the appeal website it says: “This year, as a result of Covid-19, many of our volunteers are understandably unable to assist, and reduced footfall in these areas means that our Poppy Appeal income is at real risk." 

Every year the organisation normally sells around 40 million poppies, meaning a large chunk of income - to help serving and ex-serving forces and their families is potentially in jeopardy in 2020. 

“Please support the Poppy Appeal in any way you can – without you we cannot provide the life changing support that our Armed Forces community needs and deserves.”

The Royal British Legion says there are a number of ways that people can still get their hands on a poppy in time for 11 November.

If you are still leaving the house and able to access supermarkets then Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Tesco, Asda and Aldi are all official partners with the Royal British Legion and will be selling them in store. 

If you are staying at home to shield or are unable to make it to a major supermarket in the next couple of weeks then you also have the option to buy a poppy from the comfort of your home 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

Although you will need internet access.

The Royal British Legion has an official “Poppy Shop” online where you can buy the flowers for yourself, friends and family.  

The products on sale include the classic lapel paper poppy with a plastic stem, which costs £2. The car poppy (which costs £5.49) and a selection of “remembrance tributes” including a “wooden cross, Sikh Khanda, Hindu Aum, Star, Crescent Moon or Secular Tribute”.

And 100 per cent of the profits from the Poppy Shop still go towards funding the legion’s work in supporting the armed forces community, serving and ex-serving personnel and their families. 

As well as shopping on the Poppy Shop you can also use the official Amazon and eBay shops, which are affiliated with the Royal British Legion.  

There are other items to choose from on those third party sites, including metal pin badges and key rings.

As well as buying poppies if you offer to become a distributor you can claim 20 poppies for free - to give to your friends and neighbours, as well as keeping one yourself. 

The Poppies In The Post scheme means you can request the poppies free of charge and then ask for a donation from friends and family to give back to the Royal British Legion.

In order to qualify for the poppies you just need to fill in the form online by 31 October. Once the Royal British Legion has received your order, please allow 2-3 working days to be confirmed.

You can also take part in further fundraising by ordering a fundraising pack online.