Sultan trainees among volunteers to support London poppy day

Trainees from the Engineering Technician Initial Career Course (ETICC) at HMS Sultan are set to join thousands of street collectors from across the UK in London on 3rd November in support of the Royal British Legion for London Poppy Day.

A whole class of trainees from the Defence College of Technical Training’s Defence School of Marine Engineering, who are currently undertaking Submariner training, will travel up as part of a group of 80 personnel from the across the Establishment.

 The London Poppy day first started in 2006 with 10 volunteers raising £500. It has since grown and now involves around 2500 volunteers both military and civilian, raising over £1m in 2013 and 2014 and £875,000 in 2015.

HMS Sultan Engineering Technician Marie Engineering (Submariner) Declan Luby, 19, said: “We’ve had an opportunity to volunteer and the lads have all come forwards and I think it will be a great honour to be involved.”

“I’m really excited to be part of it all, it will be a long day in the heart of London. We were told in the brief of how some people are prepared to pay £60-95 for just one poppy, just on their way to work or on their way to the train.”

“We were shown the targets that were raised over the years and in 2014 they raised £1.25m and I think we’re aiming to beat that this year.” 

ETICC Divisional Officer Tom Davis said: “’DSMarE ETICC were keen to support this important event and are extremely proud to see how many of our young people wish to get involved in raising money for the Royal British Legion.

"It is important to instil a sense of pride in the uniform and what better way than to be involved in an event such as this that reminds us all of those who have worn the uniform before us.”

“Although the poppy is synonymous with remembrance, is it also important that our guys and girls appreciate that the sale of the poppy directly funds the good work of the Royal British Legion, who’s efforts support those still serving as well as those who have retired from the service, in so many different ways.”