Solent maritime community comes together for symbolic Poppy Appeal crossing
Photo caption: (Left to right) Higel Hartley, Isle of Wight High Sheriff, Cllr Stuart Ellis, Cowes Town Mayor, Fran Collins, Red Funnel CEO, Cllr Tracy Reader, East Cowes Town Mayor, and Cllr Karl Love, East Cowes Deputy Mayor
The Solent maritime community has come together with the Royal British Legion to mark the Poppy Appeal with a symbolic crossing to the Isle of Wight ahead of Remembrance Sunday.
The first remembrance poppies made their journey across the Solent aboard Red Funnel’s Red Osprey to the Isle of Wight on Thursday 22 October, bringing the local maritime and military community together in a shared act of remembrance.
A visual convoy across the Solent and a water cannon salute created a moving tribute on the water as the poppies made their way to the Island.
Lucy Inskip, Director of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, said: “The Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal brings the nation together and helps us raise vital funds needed to support the Armed Forces community.
“This year, we’re proud to be highlighting that when someone serves, their family serves too, recognising the families behind those who serve and the unique sacrifices they make.
“We want to encourage the public to go out and show their support for the Appeal this year. From short-term relief to lifelong support, your donation enables the RBL to help the Armed Forces and their families, whatever the need, whenever it’s needed.”
This event starts the journey towards Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day, when communities across the country come together to remember and reflect on the service and sacrifice of those who have served.
Red Funnel was among those supporting the crossing, carrying the poppies, veterans and dignitaries across the Solent to the Isle of Wight. Alongside its long service in the Solent, the historic ferry operator was also actively involved in the evacuation of Dunkirk during the Second World War.
During Operation Dynamo in 1940, six Red Funnel-operated vessels made 13 visits to the beach, helping in the rescue of almost 6,000 servicemen, within a fleet of more than 800 vessels involved in the evacuation.
This connection added a further layer of significance for Red Funnel colleagues and crews taking part in the tribute, more than 85 years later.
Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, said: “It was a privilege for Red Funnel to play a part in this very special journey and to work alongside the Royal British Legion to bring the first poppies across the Solent to the Isle of Wight.
“Remembrance Sunday holds enormous significance for communities across the Island and beyond. Given Red Funnel’s own maritime heritage and our connection to the events of the Second World War, including Dunkirk, it was particularly poignant for our colleagues and crews to help mark this moment.
“We are proud to support the Royal British Legion and to have helped create a fitting tribute to all those who have served and sacrificed.”
