Media centre

Tuesday 1 Nov 2016

Dame Barbara Windsor and Network Rail unite to support Poppy Day Appeal

Region & Route:

National

Screen legend Dame Barbara Windsor’s voice will greet visitors to Network Rail stations across the nation over the coming week, as part of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

Volunteer collectors will be in Network Rail managed stations in Birmingham, Bristol, London, Manchester and Leeds, helping to raise funds as part of the Legion’s London and City Poppy Days. Dame Barbara visited the control room at London Bridge station to record a special public announcement on behalf of the Legion which will be played throughout the day to support the collectors’ efforts.

Dame Barbara has been a long-time supporter of the work of the Legion: “I am constantly humbled when I hear the stories of the men and women who put their lives on the line for us all every day. I’m proud that together with Network Rail, I am able to play a small part in helping the Legion with their Poppy Appeal by encouraging station visitors to donate to this most worthy cause.”

Phil Hufton managing director England & Wales at Network Rail added: "Network Rail has a long tradition of supporting our armed forces, both in employing ex-service personnel and supporting the work of the Legion. Passengers and station visitors have always made a generous contribution to the Poppy Appeal and we are pleased to host volunteer collectors in all our managed stations once again this year to enable this custom to continue.”

Volunteer collectors will be in all Network Rail’s managed stations for the City Poppy Days in the following locations:

2 November – Birmingham

3 November – London, Bristol

9 November – Leeds

10 November – Manchester

As well as hosting the volunteer collectors, military bands will entertain travellers and visitors at many of the stations.

Amos Farrington served in the RAF and now works as a telecoms technician for Network Rail. Like many of his ex-service colleagues at Network Rail, Amos will be supporting the work of the Legion on Poppy Day. He said: “I served in both the first Gulf war and Northern Ireland before the end of The Troubles and have seen the effects conflicts can have on people. Poppy Day is a time of remembrance for the fallen and the injured. I was honoured to serve my country and am proud that I now work for an organisation that actively supports the work of the Legion and values the contribution that the members of the armed services make.”

The railway industry is further supporting the Legion’s London and City Poppy Days by providing free travel into the participating cities for volunteer collectors. Collectors are able to travel for free on the City Poppy Days, as well as the days either side, guaranteeing that they can make collections for the whole day.

• Ends -

Contact information:

Donna Mitchell

Media relations manager (campaigns)

Network Rail

 Donna.Mitchell@networkail.co.uk