REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION were guests of honour in the Mayor’s Parlour on Friday (23rd October 2015).
The Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Barry Curran, welcomed regional officer from the national charity to the Civic Centre to help launch this year’s fundraising appeal.
The annual visit has now become Mayoral tradition to demonstrate City Council and community support for the charity.
The Mayor of Sunderland, Councillor Barry Curran said: “It is an honour to buy the symbolic ‘first Poppy’ to help launch this year’s fundraising appeal.
“Sunderland has a strong military tradition and proud to support our servicemen and women past and present. We have more than 26,000 people with service records and their families living in our city all deserving of our continued help and support.
“All the money raised from the Poppy sales in the city goes toward providing just that, and I’d invite everyone to buy one and wear it with pride as Remembrance weekend approaches.”
Branch Chair (Sunderland), Royal British Legion, Vince Harris, added: “It means a great deal to us that the Mayor of Sunderland helps launch our annual appeal, it’s a tremendous gesture on behalf of the whole city.
“Last year in the city centre alone we raised more than £59,000 from Poppy sales, and we’d like to thank everyone for their continuing support.
“Every penny raised is used to help those and their families who have served and are serving in our armed forces, as a reminder that we will never forget the sacrifices made on all our behalf.”