Defence Force personnel support Poppy Day

One hundred and fifty New Zealand Defence Force personnel will be joined by three American marines on Thursday 21 April, collecting on the streets of Wellington for the annual Poppy Day collection.

The marines have a long historical association with Wellington, as they were stationed in camps in Wellington and the Kapiti Coast during the Second World War.

Funds collected will be used by the Returned and Services’ Association (RSA) for a variety of services including assistance for private surgery that is either not available through the public system or only possible after a long period on a waiting list.

RSA National President Don McIvor said, “We are very grateful for the assistance given by our valued partner the Defence Force. Poppy Day is our biggest fundraiser of the year enabling us to fulfill our welfare support programme.”

Nationwide the RSA expends some $2 million annually on its welfare activities, more than half of which is generously donated by the people of New Zealand on Poppy Day.

In Wellington, volunteers from Veterans’ Affairs New Zealand and the Ministry of Defence will also assist with the collection.