Ashfield poppy display raises money for veterans breakfast club

The Hop In microbar in Pinxton may be closed due to lockdown, however it hs managed to raise more than £300 for Kirkby in Ashfield Armed Forces & Veterans Breakfast Club.

Bar manager Ian Butler, alongside his partner Chelsea Coulson, spent hours painstakingly making poppies for their impressive display which has wowed passersby.

Hop In regular Shirley Wilbraham also knitted poppies which were sold in various outlets in the area.

Ian said: “The veterans breakfast club is really important – it allows veterans and serving forces personnel to get together to provide support in many different areas, whether they are struggling with PTSD, substance abuse or money issues.

"It’s also just a place for families to get together and have someone to talk to – it’s a real social occasion that everyone looks forward to."

Run by volunteers, the breakfast club began in January 2019 and was originally held at the Duke of Wellington in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, but with ever-increasing popularity they are now in talks with Ashfield Rugby Club to move it to bigger premises.

Ian added: “We were so grateful to the Duke of Wellington, but we now need somewhere bigger, so we’re hoping we’ll be in new premises after lockdown.”

The club are also looking for donations of cutlery and crockery due to an increase in demand.

If you can help with a donation, or for more information on the breakfast club, contact Mark Leek on [email protected].

Nottinghamshire bar manager entertains regulars during lockdown

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