Gran, 81, who raised £1m for Royal British Legion backs our Poppy appeal
AS poppy sellers go, you would struggle to find one more hard-working than Vera Parnaby.
After devoting 75 years of her life to the annual Royal British Legion campaigns and raising £1million, she has earned the nickname Mrs Poppy.
And she backs The Sun’s campaign calling on British people to help save this year’s appeal amid the challenges of the pandemic.
Vera, 81, said: “We are in another war. It might not be like the great wars but it is another conflict and we are once again in uncharted waters.
“Everyone needs to pull together — just like we do in wartime.
“We got through the others and we will get through this one — and the Poppy Appeal and The Sun’s campaign will help us win once again.”
Every autumn she marshals an army of poppy sellers to raise tens of thousands of pounds for veterans — and even puts in shifts herself.
Vera, who has supported the Legion since she was six, refuses to be cowed by Covid-19 as she urges people to back The Sun’s campaign.
The Royal Britain Legion raises £50million a year from its Poppy Appeal to help 90,000 veterans and their families.
There are fears this year’s donations will be hit due to the pandemic, so The Sun launched the Poppy Star appeal to help plug the gap.
Vera’s house in Consett, Co Durham, is a shrine to the cause.
Poppies cover her wallpaper, there are poppy cushions, ornaments and a doormat.
Wearing a poppy dress, Vera said: “I first got involved when we were invited to a Christmas party in 1945 as my dad had been killed in the war.
He was a driver and died on a base in Warwickshire in 1942 when he was 35.
“My mother and a few other mums got together and formed a local women’s section and we never looked back. Us kids would help selling poppies, and from the age of 14, I went out on my own, selling poppies door to door.
“As I got older I got really interested in the work that the Legion did to support ex-servicemen and women and their families. We all owe a deep gratitude to those in the Forces who went to fight for their country.
“Where we would be today if they hadn’t fought the two great wars and other wars? I have spent my life repaying that debt.”
Vera was married to accountant Alan for 54 years before he died in 2015, aged 81.
She has three children, two grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, worked at the nearby steel works and also volunteered for her local cubs and church.
But she has always found time for the Poppy Appeal and has co-ordinated her local one for the past 25 years.
She said: “Despite bringing up a family, I managed to juggle the Legion with everything else.
“I love poppies and my husband used to buy me presents with poppies on. I’m known as the Poppy Lady — even the doctor calls me Mrs Poppy.
“This year is going to be different because of the virus. We usually have about 500 collecting tins out around here but we will be down to about 120.
“But I am still trying to get as many businesses and shops as possible to take them so people have the opportunity to get a poppy. Tesco and Morrisons have said we can have a table so I’m planning to help out there.
“I’m delighted The Sun has launched the campaign to help this year’s Poppy Appeal. It’s more important than ever that we all buy a poppy because we are facing such a challenge this year.
“There are hard times ahead but if we show the same spirit as we have done in getting through other conflicts we will get through this one as well.
“There are lots of ways for people to donate to the campaign and I hope as many people as possible do so.”
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The Legion is delighted with all the work Vera has done over the years.
Julie Warters, a Legion community fundraiser in Co Durham, said: “Vera has been a dedicated poppy seller for more than seven decades and has raised well in excess of £1million for the Poppy Appeal.
“In 2013, she deservedly received the chairman’s medal for her years of service and her enthusiasm shows no sign of diminishing.
“She is a force of nature and an incredible asset to the Poppy Appeal in the North East.”
How to be a poppy star: Join The Sun's campaign
THE pandemic may have stopped thousands of sellers from hitting the streets – but it doesn’t have to stop you from buying a poppy.
MIKE RIDLEY looks at some of the ways you can do your bit for the appeal by going online to: rbl.org.uk/poppyappeal
- Fundraise for appeal: Move to Remember and the 11/11 Challenge are among the fundraising suggestions from the appeal itself. Free fundraising packs on the website will give the help and support you will need.
- Poppies in the post: Help make up for the reduced number of volunteer collectors by requesting 20 poppies free of charge from the RBL — and then giving them to friends and family yourself in return for a donation.
- My poppy run 2020: Run, walk or jog any distance, anywhere and at any time. Get family and friends involved to raise cash. And buy a T-shirt to run in and a medal to give to yourself afterwards!
- Visit the poppy shop: There is an extensive range of products from poppy pins and jewellery to clothing, stationery and homeware. All profits fund the Legion’s work in supporting the Armed Forces community.
- Make online donation: Alternatively, you could just visit the British Legion’s website and make a donation. You can choose a one-off payment or set up a regular amount — and no amount is too small.
…OR POP INTO YOUR LOCAL SAINSBURY’S, TESCO, ASDA, ALDI OR MORRISONS AND BUY A POPPY
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