In the lead-up to this year's National Service of Remembrance on Sunday, 12 November and to pay tribute to servicemen and women, Transport for London (TfL) has partnered with the Royal British Legion (RBL) and a number of celebrities to raise funds for the annual Poppy Appeal.
Among the celebrities taking part will be musician and broadcaster Jools Holland OBE, Britain's Got Talent winner Lance Corporal of Horse Richard Jones, and actor Ross Kemp.
Transport for London will start its recognition of Armistice Day from the beginning of November when Jools Holland will be making special station announcements encouraging people to donate to the Poppy Appeal.
Special poppy-themed roundels have also been created for Transport for London, and these will be displayed at ten Underground stations, five Overground stations, and some bus stations.
Poppies have been wrapped around five London buses, poppy imagery is being shown on trams, an engineering train, and Underground, DLR, Elizabeth line and Overground trains, and TfL-owned piers along the Thames, poppy flags will be flying.
Special commemorative transport-inspired poppy pins have also been created by Transport for London, and these can be purchased from the British Legion Poppy shop.
From tomorrow, Thursday, 2 November, on the Circle line, there will be a special guest appearance by Britain's Got Talent winner and serving officer Lance Corporal of Horse Richard Jones, when he will be performing a magic show as part of the fundraising efforts.
On Remembrance Sunday, 12 November, Ross Kemp will travel on a Royal Marines landing craft to Westminster Pier where he will meet London's Transport Commissioner Andy Lord and members of the London Transport Old Comrades Association before joining them on a Remembrance Day Parade to the Cenotaph.
This year marks the Centenary of the London Transport Old Comrade Association, which was first given the right to march by King George V in honour of the men of the London General Omnibus Company who drove buses to the front line in France during World War I.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “I am proud that this year, for London Poppy Day, our transport network features poppy themed roundels and customers travelling around the capital will hear announcements from well-known voices paying tribute to servicemen and women and supporting important fundraising efforts.
“TfL has a longstanding relationship with the Royal British Legion and I want to thank the thousands of volunteers who collect donations on TfL's network each year for the London Poppy Appeal supporting veterans, serving personnel and their families.”
Andy Lord, London's Transport Commissioner, said: “Every year we are proud to support the Royal British Legion and their fundraising efforts for veterans, serving personnel and their families.
“This is a particularly special year as it marks the 100th anniversary of the London Transport Old Comrade Association, and we're delighted that Jools Holland, Ross Kemp and Lance Corporal of Horse Richard Jones are all supporting our ambitious fundraising efforts.
“We hope that all our activity for London Poppy Day and ahead of the National Service of Remembrance on the 12 November will encourage customers to donate to this special cause.”
Director of the Poppy Appeal at Royal British Legion, Andy Taylor-Whyte, said: “We're excited that the Royal British Legion London Poppy Day is fast approaching, and we invite people across the city to come and say hello to the many members of the military community who will be collecting for the Poppy Appeal in major transport hubs through the day.
“With military bands also playing in many stations, we encourage people to stop for a moment of reflection and support the appeal this year, which has launched a new plastic-free poppy to wear.
‘'Your poppy shows you care and that the service and sacrifice of serving Armed Forces personnel, veterans, and their families will never be forgotten. Please give whatever you can to this year's Poppy Appeal and help us raise £1 million in London in a day.”
