# Royal British Legion recreates In Flanders Fields in poppies to launch 2017 Poppy Appeal

- Link: https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/10/27/royal-british-legion-recreates-flanders-fields-poppies-launch-2017-poppy-appeal/
- Published: 2017-10-27T10:30:25+01:00
- Author: Melanie May

**The Royal British Legion has launched its 2017 Poppy Appeal by recreating lines
of John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields in iconic locations across the UK, spelt
out in poppies.**

The lines of the poem have been recreated by the [Royal British Legion](http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/)
in seven locations: Royal Hospital Chelsea in London, on Dunkirk Beach, on the White
Cliffs of Dover, at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire, in Cardiff
Bay, at Salford Quays in Manchester and outside the Sage in Gateshead. The individual
letters of the poem are made up of clusters of poppies, to give the impression the
lines of the poem have grown from the ground, and to bring a new perspective to 
the poem and its meaning.

This year, the charity hopes to raise £47m through the [Poppy Appeal](http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/poppy-appeal-2017/),
asking people to Rethink Remembrance by recognising the sacrifices made by the Armed
Forces community, past and present.

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Claire Rowcliffe, Royal British Legion’s Director of Fundraising, said:

> “The Poppy Appeal 2017 is encouraging the public to recognise that your poppy 
> supports the Armed Forces community past and present, and is a symbol of both 
> remembrance and hope.
> “The work of the Legion is as relevant and vital today as it was in the aftermath
> of the First World War when the charity was founded. The donation for your poppy
> will help the Legion support today’s Armed Forces community through hardships,
> injury and bereavements.
> “We’re encouraging people to dig deep for this year’s Poppy Appeal to help us 
> raise £47 million. The Legion’s work is entirely dependent on the public’s generous
> support – so please wear your poppy with pride.”

The charity has already said it will [accept old pound coins](https://fundraising.co.uk/2017/10/15/charities-will-still-accept-old-1-coin-donations/)
in the appeal.

In other Remembrance Sunday-related news, the grouse statue at [The Famous Grouse Experience](http://experience.thefamousgrouse.com/)
has received a [Poppyscotland](http://www.poppyscotland.org.uk/) makeover ahead 
of November 11^(th). The grouse has been given a poppy hat designed by Crieff artist
June McEwan and was commissioned by The Famous Grouse Experience to highlight the
ongoing contribution of the armed forces in the run up to Remembrance Sunday.

The visitor attraction will also be offering free Distillery and Tasting Experience
tours for serving and retired military personnel during the month of November.

[⌊Famous Grouse Experience statue⌉⌊Famous Grouse Experience statue⌉[

The Famous Grouse Experience statue

 

The Westminster Collection has also released [The 2017 Masterpiece 5oz Silver Proof Poppy Coin](http://westminstercollection.com/p-T102/The-2017-Silver-5oz-Masterpiece-Poppy-Coin.aspx?sn=z).
Only 250 coins have been struck, with the target of raising £700,000 for The Royal
British Legion through a donation of £49.80 for each one sold. Last year. The Westminster
Collection raised £500,000 through its limited edition poppy coins.

 * **[Revolut releases Poppy card in support of Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal](https://fundraising.co.uk/2022/11/04/revolut-releases-poppy-card-in-support-of-royal-british-legion-poppy-appeal/)**(
   4 November 2022)
 * **[Poppy goes plastic-free in biggest change for decades](https://fundraising.co.uk/2023/04/19/poppy-goes-plastic-free-in-biggest-change-for-decades/)**(
   19 April 2023)
 * **[Poppy-themed beer glasses & more – fundraising support for 2024’s Poppy Appeal](https://fundraising.co.uk/2024/11/08/poppy-themed-beer-glasses-more-fundraising-support-for-2024s-poppy-appeal/)**(
   8 November 2024)

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