On November 11th, 1921, the first cloth Poppies were sold in Britain. More than nine million had been made, but, such was the nation’s desire to remember those lost during the Great War, that they sold out almost immediately.

That first Poppy Appeal raised more than £106,000 – a huge sum at the time – and the funds were used to help veterans find jobs and homes. An enduring symbol of our gratitude and a lifeline for veterans was born.

To commemerate the 100th anniversary of the first appeal, I will be running 1921 miles between the 11th November 2020 and 11th November 2021.

The Scottish Poppy Appeal raises over £2 million each year. Poppyscotland was established in 1921 as The Earl Haig Fund Scotland but adopted their current name and logo in 2006 to reflect their revised fundraising activities andwelfare services work. In June 2011 Poppyscotland merged with their sister charity The Royal British Legion (TRBL), which operates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, to form the largest charity group supporting the Armed Forces community across the whole of the UK. Poppyscotland continue to operate as a distinct charity within the TRBL group of charities, relying entirely on public donations to allow us to continue our life-changing work.