The Islington Veterans’ Association started its Poppy Appeal on Saturday, despite the impact of Covid-19.
Mayor of Islington Janet Burgess, who joined the collectors at the entrance of Angel Central Shopping Centre ahead of Remembrance Sunday on 8 November, said: “I was really moved by such a good response, people were really pleased to see us.”
Although poppies and pins were priced at £1, she said that many people “put in a lot more money than that”.
Veteran David Dade, the organiser of Islington’s Poppy Appeal, said that they had raised £1600, which was not as much as normal, as Covid-19 meant there were eight fewer collectors.
He said: “I was thanked for being there quite a few times, that made me feel proud.”
Dade explained that the Poppy Appeal is particularly important in Islington, as it was badly damaged during World War Two. Most infamously, a “V bomb” took 26 lives when it fell at Highbury Corner in 1944.
The Islington Poppy Appeal culminates in Remembrance Sunday ceremonies at the borough’s three memorial sites – Islington Green, Spa Green and Manor Gardens.
Mayor Burgess said that “this year, sadly, there is only going to be six people allowed at the memorial.”
Dade explained that they “normally get over 2000 people turn up” to the Islington Green ceremony; “the people of Islington really do us proud”.
The collectors will be back at Angel Central Shopping Centre this Saturday 31 October, and elsewhere throughout Islington during the week.
