'We will still remember them' - Help honour our heroes with a Mansfield doorstep silence this Remembrance Sunday

Mansfield’s Royal British Legion have had to adopt a Covid-secure approach to fundraising this year, with a non-contact ‘honesty box’ in the middle of the Four Seasons Shopping Centre until Wednesday evening, to collect donations and ensure residents are still able to purchase a poppy.

Communities are also decorating their towns and villages with poppies to commemorate those who lost their lives in lieu of the usual parades by ex-servicemen and youth organisations.

Chairman of the Mansfield branch of the Royal British Legion, Paul Bentley, says this year’s event will be very different due to lockdown restrictions.

Paul explained: “Usually we have hundreds of venues selling poppies, but that just hasn’t been possible this year.

"We are holding a very small service on Sunday to mark the occasion, which will be very different to the usual parade, but it’s great to hear that the Chad are helping to spread the word about remembering our fallen soldiers in alternative ways.

"We will still remember them.”

The Chad has launched a campaign, along with other JPIMedia titles across the country, calling for a two minute doorstep silence this Remembrance Sunday, to ensure we still remember in 2020 even if we cannot join together in Acts of Remembrance.

Today we have published a special poppy poster, backed by the Royal British Legion, which we encourage people to display in their windows, or to hold, as they stand on their doorsteps to observe a two minute silence at 11am on Remembrance Sunday.

And we urge everyone to show their support for Remembrance Sunday by buying a poppy if they are able, or by making a donation to the Royal British Legion.

This year more than ever, the Poppy Appeal needs our help as local lockdowns, and more people working from home, limits the opportunities for many people to buy a poppy.

The pandemic has had a devastating impact on people’s livelihoods and way of life, leaving some in the Armed Forces community in dire need of urgent help and support

To donate to the 2020 Poppy Appeal, please see the Royal British Legion website.

Here’s why we wear a poppy

Ashfield MP proud of response to fundraising poppy appeal

Thank you to all who support local journalism with a print subscription.

The events of 2020 mean trusted, local journalism is more reliant than ever on your support.

We couldn't do it without you. Please subscribe here https://www.localsubsplus.co.uk/ so we can keep campaigning on your behalf. Stay safe.