Donations to the 2015 Poppy Appeal have reached a new record, with thousands of kiwis across New Zealand donating more than $2.5m to the Returned Services' Association's work helping past and present service personnel and their families.
RNZRSA Chief Executive David Moger says the donated funds will enable RSA volunteer support staff to provide assistance to even more people in need.
He says “People always give generously to our Poppy Appeal but I think the Gallipoli centenary commemorations really highlighted the sacrifices our service men and women have made, and continue to make.”
Many new initiatives took place this year, which contributed to the successful amount donated. One of those initiatives was the PINAPOPPY appeal, where people were invited to pin a virtual poppy on their social media profiles.
Other initiatives included the Giant Poppy art project to create the world's largest poppy and Truck Poppies, which saw large poppies displayed on 1,700 trucks, as well as the Fonterra fleet.
The RSA’s volunteer Support Staff work with thousands of people around New Zealand, from WWII veterans to those who served in more recent conflicts as well as those still serving in the New Zealand Defence Force today.
Poppy Appeal Funds also cover education and personal development needs and other support for dependents of military personnel, such as offering respite care for families of service people currently serving overseas.
All together, there are 181 RSA's throughout the country and Poppy funds collected in each area are used to help people in that location.