Redruth volunteer Poppy Appeal Organiser, Lorna Burrows, will take part in the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall this Saturday 11th November. Lorna, alongside others, will be representing Poppy Collectors when the group marches down the steps at the Hall.

Mum and business-owner Lorna is hugely dedicated to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, and has been involved with the Armed Forces charity for most of her life.

Annie Binding, Poppy Appeal Manager for Cornwall at the Royal British Legion, says about Lorna:

“Since joining the Poppy Appeal team in Redruth, Lorna demonstrates what a truly lovely person she is. I can think of no greater ambassador to represent out Poppy Appeal volunteers at the Festival of Remembrance. Her passion for the Royal British Legion is undeniable and always on show for all to see.”

This year, Lorna, alongside thousands of other dedicated volunteers, has been distributing the plastic-free poppy for the first time. This year’s plastic-free poppy is the first redesign of the iconic symbol of Remembrance in a generation and is the latest in a series of designs since the poppy was first used to raise funds in 1921.

Ahead of Remembrance weekend, the Royal British Legion is calling for people to both donate to the Poppy Appeal and to wear a poppy to show the Armed Forces community that their service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Lorna is thoroughly looking forward to taking part in the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall, calling it a once in a lifetime opportunity.

For the 2023 Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla will be joined by members of the Royal Family at the Royal Albert Hall in London.

Hosted by Clare Balding – music artists include British soul legend Mica Paris, popstar Calum Scott, Chelsea Pensioner Colin Thackery, Festival favourite Alfie Boe, singer songwriter Katie Melua, chart-topping DJ-duo Sigma featuring Morgan and 14-year-old opera singing sensation Malaki.

The Band of HM Royal Marines and The Band of The Royal Airforce Regiment will create awe inspiring displays of military music.

This year’s event will commemorate the significant anniversaries of two crucial historical battles. It is eighty years since The Battle of the Atlantic, the longest military campaign of World War II and the seventieth anniversary of the Korean War in which many national servicemen fought and died, with veterans from both wars present in the Hall.

In tribute to the seventy fifth anniversary of the HMT Empire Windrush's arrival, the Festival will honour the extraordinary contributions of the Windrush generation to the military.

Our currently serving personnel will also be celebrated as we hear of the remarkable work of the British Army Chaplains in training their Ukrainian counterparts and we give thanks for the essential role that military families play in supporting those that serve.

Past and present military personnel will come together to be honoured for their service and dedication in defending our freedoms and way of life. As the petals fall in the Royal Albert Hall, the Festival will pay tribute to all victims of war and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

For the first time ever, the BBC will be providing audio described commentary for audiences who are blind or partially sighted through BBC iPlayer and the channel’s red button function.

Tune into the Festival on BBC One on Saturday 11th November. To find out more or to donate to the Poppy Appeal please visit rbl.org.uk