Generosity to Poppy Day appeal strengthens

The generosity and growing respect for men and women lost during times of war has been evident in the streets of Nelson this week.

As Anzac Day approaches volunteers are handing out poppies in exchange for a donation before Tuesday’s commemorations.

RSA member and former New Zealand Army engineer John Wilkins said more than 300 poppies from his Trafalgar St stand have been distributed already.

What makes this year different? Wilkins said it was the generosity of the public as he had noticed a greater influx of large donations than in the previous four years he handed out poppies for the local RSA.

‘‘I do this for the RSA and for welfare. There’s more generosity to the welfare of old diggers.’’

He said people who had bought a poppy said the occasion of buying a poppy was a necessity.

Wilkins said wearing a poppy and the Poppy Day appeal was a symbol of respect for the fallen, serving and also helped support New Zealand’s returned servicemen.

Poppies were the first flowers that grew in the battlefields of Flanders in Belgium during World War I and are a symbol of remembrance and hope. The Poppy Day has been a part of the New Zealand calendar since 1922.

As Wilkins sold the poppies on Friday, he proudly wore his NZ Army service medal for 17 years in the military. He said one of the main reasons he joined was because his father served in World War II as an ambulance driver.

On his right breast he proudly wore his father’s five medals which he said would accompany him at the dawn service commemorations next week.