Royal British Legion launches 2026 Poppy Appeal fundraising drive

Summarised from The Mirror's report · Updated 22 Oct, 06:14 · Archive

The Royal British Legion has launched its 2026 Poppy Appeal with a one-day mission to deliver four poppies made from Second World War Spitfire metal.

The Royal British Legion has launched its annual Poppy Appeal for 2026, with a target of £50 million in fundraising. The campaign is backed by Dame Joanna Lumley. Three members of the Armed Forces representing the Royal Navy, Army and RAF are undertaking a one-day mission to deliver four special poppies made from the metal of Second World War Spitfires, beginning in Manchester and travelling to North Wales, the RBL's 'Battle Back' Centre in Shropshire, and London.

The campaign this year focuses on highlighting the "unique challenges and sacrifices" faced by Armed Forces families, emphasising that "when someone serves, their family serves too". One of the poppies will be presented to Liam Farrelly-Swanston from Reigate, whose brother Lance Corporal Paul Farrelly was killed while serving in Iraq in 2006. Paul, who was 27 at the time and served with the Queen's Dragoon Guards, died alongside Lieutenant Tom Mildinhall after an ambush on their vehicle in Basra. Liam said losing his brother had a significant impact on the family and that grief can emerge unexpectedly years after a loss.

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• Royal British Legion poppy appeal kicks off with a one-day missionThe Royal British Legion has started its 2026 fundraising Poppy Appeal drive, with a one-day mission to deliver four special poppies made from the metal of WW2 SpitfiresThe Mirror · 22 Oct, 00:02

In this story: Royal British Legion · Dame Joanna Lumley · Liam Farrelly-Swanston · Paul Farrelly · Manchester · Shropshire · London

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