Isle of Man Post Office will once again show its support for The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal in 2016. During the appeal period which runs from 27th October to 11th November, the Post Office’s fleet of vehicles will be decorated with a poppy and its staff will be encouraged to wear a poppy with their uniforms and business attire.
 
Each year, The Royal British Legion’s iconic poppy campaign collects donations throughout the nation in an effort to help thousands of veterans, service men, women and their families with vital advice and support as well as remembering those who fell in the line of duty. This year, the Post Office’s collection of poppies has been sourced as ever from the local Royal British Legion branch, which raised in excess of ?103,000 for the 2015 Appeal.
 
To recognise the sacrifices made in WW1, this year Isle of Man Post Office issued a Battle of the Somme set of stamps and a Battle of Jutland miniature sheet to commemorate the centenary of WW1, both are part of a four year thematic stamp series running from 2014 – 2017. Linking with this, Isle of Man Postal Headquarters proudly displays two plaques paying tribute to WW1 and WW2 Post Office workers who fell during both wars.  The WW1 memorial is an original commemorative plaque designed and created by the famous Manx artist Archibald Knox. Both are displayed along with wreaths and were originally positioned at Regent Street Post Office.
 
Mike Kelly, Isle of Man Post Office Chief Executive, said: “The Post Office is very pleased to continue to support this important campaign which helps thousands of veterans, service men and women and their families every year. For those wishing to make a donation or purchase a poppy, collection boxes are now positioned in the customer services and licensing counters at Postal Headquarters as well at each of our delivery offices."
 
To learn more about the 2016 Poppy Appeal visit www.britishlegion.org.uk