Moore pays tribute to work of Poppyscotland in Christmas card launch
In Edinburgh today, The Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore met with Ian McGregor, Chief Executive of PoppyScotland, Manager Charlie…
In Edinburgh today, The Secretary of State for Scotland, Michael Moore met with Ian McGregor, Chief Executive of PoppyScotland, Manager Charlie Henning and members of staff from Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory to take delivery of the cards.
Poppyscotland was founded in 1921 as The Earl Haig Fund Scotland and now raises over £2m each year to provide financial assistance to thousands of ex-Servicemen and women as well as helping to fund specialist services such as long term care, housing and employment. Dover House, the London headquarters of the Scotland Office hosts the annual PoppyScotland launch.
The original Lady Haig Poppy Factory was opened in March 1926, employing those who had been disabled during World War 1 to make poppies for Scotland, it currently has a work force of 40 ex-Servicemen producing around 5 million poppies by hand each year.
Michael Moore said: “It is a privilege to highlight Poppyscotland’s excellent work by using their design for this year’s Scotland Office Christmas card.
“The year-round work which Poppyscotland undertakes helping the thousands of ex-Servicemen and women, and their families in Scotland is to be commended. It is especially poignant at this time of year to pay tribute to the work they are doing helping those who have experienced physical, emotional or financial difficulties since leaving the Armed Forces”
Poppyscotland Chief Executive Ian McGregor said: “We are very pleased that the Secretary of State has chosen one of Poppyscotland’s designs for his official Christmas card this year. Although our main fundraising drive is in November, our work continues all year round and our Christmas cards provide an ideal opportunity to support Scotland’s Armed Forces community at this special time of year.”
(Pictured with Michael Moore are Stewart Ballantyne and Graham Sorley from Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory)