London Poppy Day 2015: Thousands of military personnel hitting London’s streets to raise money ahead of Remembrance Sunday
Seen a few men in uniform on your way into work this morning? That's because thousands of military men and women are taking to London's streets to try and raise more than £1m in one day.
Personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and RAF, as well as their supporters, are heading to 49 Tube and mainline railway stations from 7am until the evening rush hour to get commuters to dig deep ahead of Remembrance Sunday on 11 November.
There will be military bands playing at various stations, including Canary Wharf, as well as a host of special activities across the capital.
Highlights include:
7am-7pm: Pop Up Pop In Centre, Covent Garden
12.30-2pm: London Poppy Day Tug of War Challenge, Jubilee Place Shopping Mall, Canary Wharf
3-7pm: Poppy Day Bike Race, Leadenhall Market
This is what's been happening so far today
@PoppyLegion always making us proud #LDNPoppyDay pic.twitter.com/mEgHb3OW0d
— Lucy Tyler (@lucylosethemap) October 29, 2015
Military bands playing in Paddington this morning – an uplifting start to the day #PoppyAppeal @PoppyLegion pic.twitter.com/AujYXuv4og
— Katie Clinton (@KatieClinton1) October 29, 2015
@PoppyLegion Busy today @BBC HQ with the RAF contingent collecting for #PoppyAppeal #LDNPoppyDay pic.twitter.com/hzoGhCVrgO
— Gaz🇬🇧 (@Ridge_Too_Far) October 29, 2015
A lovely sight & sound on arrival @NetworkRailLST this morning. Thanks to the Parachute Regiment band! 🌺#LDNPoppyDay pic.twitter.com/hu8iuTUhbU
— Sarah Merritt (@Sareyware) October 29, 2015
Let's show our respect and thanks to the amazing individuals who have done so much for us #LDNPoppyDay #remember pic.twitter.com/wMBnMgC3c4
— Attollo Lingerie (@AttolloLingerie) October 29, 2015
Lovely to hear the parachute regiment band playing at Waterloo this morning #LDNPoppyDay pic.twitter.com/jde4x8rzqi
— Shelly Henderson (@shellyhendo) October 29, 2015
Celebrating London Poppy Day at London Bridge, please show your support pic.twitter.com/quYJLjIR8E
— London Bridge (@NetworkRailLBG) October 29, 2015
Some Transport for London buses and Tube trains will be wearing special "poppy livery" to get people into the donating spirit.
The campaign is also going to run across social media, using the hashtag #LDNPoppyDay.
In Waterloo, FTSE 250 firm Interserve unveiled a specially commissioned poppies sculpture.
The giant poppies – each approximately one metre in diameter – will serve as a collection point for donations in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday and form the centrepiece of London Poppy Day celebrations at Waterloo Station, where a military band will be playing until 11.00am.
Here's the Lord Mayor of London Alan Yarrow getting involved.
He is collecting donations outside Mansion House and Bank Tube stations today. Here he is pictured with his sheriffs-alderman Charles Bowman and Christine Rigden.
The are joined by the organiser of London Poppy Day, Duncan Welham and his wife Jane and son Oliver Welham, as well as members of the RAF regiment.