MILITARY and Civilian personnel at HM Naval Base Clyde came together on Wednesday, October 25, to help launch the 2023 Poppy Scotland Appeal.

Naval Base staff lined up in the HMS Neptune Supermess to make their donations and receive one of the first 100% paper poppies which will be available to buy in various locations across the site.

This is the first year that the poppy, made entirely from paper, has gone on sale. It has taken three years to develop the new plastic-free design, which is more economical, sustainable, and less impactful to the environment, while still maintaining the iconic four petals of the Scottish poppy.

Captain Elaine Boyd, Captain of the Base, was there to buy one of the first plastic-free poppies on sale in the Naval Base.

“It was wonderful to see the One Clyde community coming together today and wearing a paper poppy with pride, as a show of support for our Armed Forces and their sacrifice.” Said Captain Boyd

The poppy has been a symbol of Remembrance since 1921 when the first nine million poppies were made and sold at the request of Earl Haig.

Earl Haig’s first poppy factory was in Richmond in 1922 but demand for poppies was so high that very few reached Scotland. And so, the four-petalled Scottish poppy was born when Lady Haig established a factory in Edinburgh in 1926 to produce them exclusively for Scotland.

Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory is still there today and a team of around 34 disabled veterans produce around three million poppies by hand for the Scottish Poppy Appeal each year.

The Scottish Poppy Appeal is Scotland’s largest  fundraising campaign and takes place annually in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday in November. Money raised during the Scottish Poppy Appeal is used to provide vital life-changing support to the Armed Forces community in Scotland. Donations help provide vital support for service families, veterans and those currently serving.