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Thursday 30 Oct 2014

Network Rail lends its support to London and City Poppy Days

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National

Volunteer collectors will be in Network Rail managed stations in London, Birmingham, Bristol and Manchester over the coming week, helping to raise funds for the Royal British Legion’s (RBL) London and City Poppy Days.

London Poppy Day – which is held today (Thursday 30 October) – was launched at Network Rail’s Liverpool Street station by Mayor of London Boris Johnson and the actor Brian Blessed. City Poppy Days will be held in Plymouth on Thursday 30 October, Birmingham on Wednesday 5 November and Bristol and Manchester on Thursday 6 November

London stations have been specially decorated with poppies and will broadcast a public announcement, recorded on behalf of the RBL by the actress Joanna Lumley, throughout the day. For one day only, licensed buskers will be permitted to perform inside the stations.

As well as hosting the volunteer collectors, military bands will be present in the stations at various times during Poppy Day to entertain travellers.

Robin Gisby, Network Rail managing director of network operations, said: "Network Rail is proud to support the Poppy Appeal, continuing our long tradition of supporting the work of the British Legion and our armed forces. Volunteer collectors will be present at all our stations so passengers and station visitors can to contribute to this important cause."

The railway industry is further supporting the RBL’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.

This year’s Poppy Day is especially poignant as it marks the centenary of the outbreak of World War One. The Rail Delivery Group, which comprises Network Rail and the owners of the train and freight operating companies, has created a free exhibition telling the story of the vital role played by the rail industry and its workers in the war effort. The exhibition can be seen at London’s Victoria station from Thursday 30 October until Wednesday 5 November. It will then move to Liverpool Lime Street station where it will be on display from Monday 10 November until Saturday 29 November.