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'BUY A POPPY'

Harry Redknapp backs The Sun’s Poppy Appeal & says ‘we owe so much’ to veterans

FORMER footie boss Harry Redknapp tonight backed our Poppy Appeal campaign.

Here the I’m A Celeb jungle king tells how he is moved to tears by Remembrance Day services and that the sight of war graves breaks his heart.

Former footie boss Harry Redknapp tonight backed our Poppy Appeal campaign
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Former footie boss Harry Redknapp tonight backed our Poppy Appeal campaignCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Talking about the importance of the poppy, Harry says: We should never, ever forget what it means and who it’s for'
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Talking about the importance of the poppy, Harry says: We should never, ever forget what it means and who it’s for'Credit: Alamy

I’LL be wearing my poppy as usual this year — and there will be no one prouder than me to do so.

So throwing my support behind The Sun’s Poppy Appeal campaign is an absolute no-brainer. We owe so much to so many, it really is the least we can do.

Year after year I watch the Remembrance Day service and every time there is a lump in my throat and a tear in my eye. Seeing all those veterans alone with their thoughts — there are very few more emotional sights than that.

So many people gave their lives and that’s something none of us should ever forget, because none of us will ever go through what they did.

During the London Blitz, the underground stations would be full of people praying for the all-clear, then coming out and finding their houses, their belongings, everything they owned, had gone.

British troops walking to the front line through deep mud in Holland during the Second World War
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British troops walking to the front line through deep mud in Holland during the Second World WarCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Harry says we must remember many soldiers were 'kids who died defending their country'
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Harry says we must remember many soldiers were 'kids who died defending their country'Credit: Getty - Contributor


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But they’d be back in the factories the next day sewing the parachutes again and doing their bit. It’s astonishing really.

So while we obviously remember those brave lads who were fighting, there were unsung heroes everywhere.

HOW TO BE A POPPY STAR

THE pandemic may have stopped thousands of sellers from hitting the streets — but it doesn’t have to stop you from buying a poppy. MIKE RIDLEY looks at some of the ways you can do your bit for the appeal by going to:

  1. Fundraise for appeal: Move to Remember and the 11/11 Challenge are among the fundraising suggestions from the appeal itself. Free fundraising packs on the website will give the help and support you will need.
  2. Poppies in the post: Help make up for the reduced number of volunteer collectors by requesting 20 poppies free of charge from the RBL — and then giving them to friends and family yourself in return for a donation.
  3. My poppy run 2020: Run, walk or jog any distance, anywhere and at any time. Get family and friends involved to raise cash. And buy a T-shirt to run in and a medal to give to yourself afterwards!
  4. Visit the poppy shop: There is an extensive range of products from poppy pins and jewellery to clothing, stationery and homeware. All profits fund the Legion’s work in supporting the Armed Forces community.
  5. Make online donation: Alternatively, you could just visit the British Legion’s website and make a donation. You can choose a one-off payment or set up a regular amount — and no amount is too small.

…OR POP INTO YOUR LOCAL SAINSBURY’S, TESCO, ASDA, ALDI OR MORRISONS AND BUY A POPPY

Over the years I’ve been to Arnhem, I’ve seen the rows and rows of gravestones and it just breaks my heart.

You walk along reading the names and the one thing which jumps out is the ages — 17, 18, 18, 17, 19. These were kids who died defending their country.

You try to imagine what it was like for all those guys at Dunkirk, being cut down on the beaches or racing across the beaches at Normandy as their mates fell. Yet none of us can ever really do so.

I’ve always been proud of my country and never more so than when I am watching the pictures from the Cenotaph.

It will be the same this year, just as it always is. So make sure you buy a poppy of your own. We should never, ever forget what it means and who it’s for.'

British troops in Afghanistan's Helmand Province
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British troops in Afghanistan's Helmand ProvinceCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Sun launches Poppy Appeal campaign asking readers to ride to the rescue of the Royal British Legion 

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