The Royal British Legion's 2026 Poppy Appeal launches in Havant to raise funds for 'vital' work supporting veterans and their families
‘Our community has a long-standing and proud tradition of supporting our armed forces’
With the 2026 Poppy Appeal launching across the country today (October 22), a group of veterans and Royal British Legion volunteers gathered in Havant to raise money for the cause locally.
The Appeal aims to raise more than £50 million nationally to help fund the RBL’s vital work supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families throughout their lives, whatever the need, whenever it’s needed.
Havant’s branch of the RBL held its launch in Tesco on Solent Road where volunteers gathered to kick start the two weeks of fundraising ahead of Remembrance Day.
Andy Carter MBE, 60, is the poppy appeal organiser for the Havant area after serving for 36 years in the Royal Regiment of Artillery. He took over organising the Poppy Appeal three years ago.
He said: “The launch day is our flagship event here. The Poppy Appeal brings the country together. No one can take away the history we have and how the appeal came to be. It is one of those times of the year where everyone comes together, whoever you vote for.”
On hand to help launch the Appeal was Conservative MP Alan Mak. He said: “Our community has a long-standing and proud tradition of supporting our armed forces, veterans, reservists, military families and all those involved in keeping our country safe. As vice-president of the Havant branch, it is a great privilege to launch the Poppy Appeal every year, as I have done again today. Local people always give generously and I am confident they will do so again so please do give generously.”
This year the Appeal is focussing on the unique challenges and sacrifices faced by Armed Forces families.
When a partner or parent serves, they will often spend months away at a time, missing birthdays, anniversaries and first days at school. The RBL is there to support Armed Forces families from day one of service throughout their lives, including being there for them during deployment, helping with financial hardship, support after a bereavement, or caring for a loved one in old age.
Matt Rugman, chairman of the Havant Veterans Support Hub is one of the people that the charity has helped. He spends his time trying to give back to the large veteran community that there is in the area.
He said: “I had some help from the British Legion a few years ago and this has always been my way of giving back. I come from a service family as well so the cause is very poignant for me.
“The funds we raise go a long way. There are a lot of veterans out there, and a lot of serving people as well, who benefit from the Royal British Legion and it does a lot of things that no one really hears about.
“I love being at the stall and helping to build awareness of what is going on in the veteran world. Especially here in Havant, as from the census in 2023 we are in the top 10 for veteran settlement in in the country with about 5,000 or so living in the area.”
Chris Atkinson, 71, of Bedhampton, took over as president of the RBL Havant Branch last year but he has been a member of the charity since he was 15-years-old. He served for 22 years leaving the service as a staff sergeant
He said: “As far as the Royal British Legion is concerned, today is one of the most important days of the year apart from Remembrance Day. The Poppy Appeal remains very relevant, you still have servicemen in various conflicts around the world and you only have to look at past conflicts and the current crop of servicemen who are disabled but are still serving.
“It is vital that we continue our work to help these servicemen, past and present, live their everyday lives.”
When Chris joined the Armed Forces his dad was also serving.
He said: “The first 40 plus years of my life, all I knew was the service life so it is very important to me to support my brothers and sisters in their ongoing struggles.
“If anybody can help us by donating or even volunteering we would love to hear from you.”
Lucy Inskip, Director of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, said: “The Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal brings the nation together and helps us raise vital funds needed to support the Armed Forces community.
“This year, we’re proud to be highlighting that when someone serves, their family serves too, recognising the families behind those who serve and the unique sacrifices they make.
“We want to encourage the public to go out and show their support for the Appeal this year. From short-term relief to lifelong support, your donation enables the RBL to help the Armed Forces and their families, whatever the need, whenever it’s needed.”
At any given moment, the RBL is supporting around 8,000 members of the Armed Forces community with expert advice and practical support, all of which would not be possible without the generous donations of the public and the dedication of the charity’s 50,000 collectors and volunteers.
Last year, the Royal British Legion supported more than 20,000 households across 65 countries, securing over £25 million in compensation or benefits for veterans and awarding over £9 million in grants to Armed Forces families to help with accommodation, food, clothing and essentials.
For more details on the Royal British Legion and how to support the Poppy Appeal, click here.