The Ulster Unionist Party’s Assembly Team has given its support to the launch of the Royal British Legion’s annual Poppy Appeal.
West Tyrone MLA Ross Hussey said:
“The Annual Poppy Appeal is the main fundraising effort by the Royal British Legion and this year they hope to raise a record-breaking £42 million.
The Legion’s welfare work is a lifeline for thousands of former servicemen and women. We in Northern Ireland are acutely aware that freedom is not free and we owe a huge debt to the tens of thousands of service personnel who donned the Queen’s uniform and played their part in combating terrorism in this Province.
Whilst Remembrance Sunday often focuses on the two World Wars of the last Century, it is also a time to remember those who served in conflicts such as the Falklands, the First and Second Gulf Wars, Bosnia, Kosovo and of course those who are still serving in Afghanistan and in other theatres. Only last night we received a tragic reminder of this with the dreadful news of the deaths of a young female Medic from Comber and a Royal Marine colleague.
Wearing the Poppy is a visible symbol of our gratitude and a way of keeping our pledge. We WILL remember them.”