As Penarth prepares for this year’s Poppy Appeal, the scale of community involvement has already surpassed expectations.

When we met with organiser Karen Jones early this August, the team has already collected over 1,900 handmade poppies, a remarkable achievement driven entirely by local residents. These poppies will form the heart of this year’s Tree of Remembrance on Windsor Road, standing beside the Poppy Caravan throughout the Appeal.

“We already have a wide array of poppies of different sizes and designs,” Karen explained, “including ones with the Union Jack, England, Wales and Ireland flags, as well as military badges.” Each poppy carries its own story, its own tribute, and its own piece of Penarth’s identity and history. And importantly, they’re designed to last: “These poppies are sustainable. I plan to take them down, wash them and reuse them next year.”

The Tree of Remembrance will be assembled by volunteers on 25 October 2026. Once the installation is in place, anyone can visit the Poppy Caravan to sponsor a poppy for £2, either in their own name or in honour of a loved one. It’s a simple gesture that supports the Appeal while adding another layer of meaning to the display, giving it a deeper, shared community feel.

But with the Poppy Appeal growing each year, the team is now calling on the community for volunteers. There are lots of ways to get involved, including helping to assemble the Tree of Remembrance, as well as supporting collection shifts at the Poppy Caravan, Asda Cardiff Bay, Morrisons Cardiff Bay, and Tesco Penarth Marina. These roles are vital since they keep the Appeal running smoothly and ensure the Royal British Legion can continue its work supporting veterans and their families. Penarth has a proud history of service, and many veterans live within the town and wider community. The funds raised through the Poppy Appeal directly support them, providing everything from financial assistance to mental health support and rehabilitation services.

One community group already making a huge impact is the Knit and Natter group at All Saints Church, who have been creating poppies to decorate the gates of the Penarth Pier Pavilion, which is a part of the Poppies on the Pier tribute planned for Remembrance Day. The entrance to the Pier will be adorned with handmade poppies and lit red, creating a striking companion display to the Tree of Remembrance. Their involvement has been central to this year’s Appeal. “The Knitters and Knatters have been very involved,” Karen said. “They’ve even put together poppy packs and left them in local businesses for people to purchase and make a poppy at home.”

For Karen, bringing the community together, especially younger residents, has been a key goal. And with nearly 2,000 poppies already collected, and more still to come, it’s clear that Penarth has embraced that invitation.

Whether you knit, crochet, volunteer your time, or simply sponsor a poppy, every contribution helps build a project rooted in remembrance. If you’re interested in volunteering or finding out more, please contact Penarth Poppy Appeal organiser Karen Jones at karen1964@btinternet.com.