Council goes visible with poppy appeal support

This year's poppy appeal is going undercover - but here in the High Peak we're going very visible with our support for the annual campaign to raise funds for the Armed Forces past and present.

It's GCHQ's centenary and to mark the occasion the intelligence and security organisation has teamed up with the Royal British Legion to highlight the unseen contributions of those who serve.

From radio ciphers to cybersecurity, the intelligence provided by GCHQ over the last 100 years has helped protect the military and this continues to be a key part of their mission.

To highlight this contribution, undercover celebrities will be joining some of the Legion's 40,000 Poppy Appeal collectors to shine a light on their fundraising work.

And for the first time in High Peak, the Borough Council and its waste collection partner Alliance Environmental Services, will be supporting the campaign by displaying poppies on fleet vehicles.

High Peak Mayor, Councillor Ed Kelly, said: "The poppy is a widely recognised symbol of support for our Armed Forces and we're delighted to be showing the Council's support for the annual appeal by displaying poppies on our service vehicles  - the first time we've done so in High Peak."

Executive Councillor for Climate Change and the Environment, Jean Todd, added: "We all benefit from the brave service of our Armed Forces and the annual Poppy Appeal resonates with communities across the UK.

"Our waste collection vehicles serve every street in the Borough and we hope that everyone who sees the vehicles displaying poppies will take a moment to reflect on the selfless service of our Forces and, if they can, consider making a donation to the appeal."

The Poppy Appeal runs this year runs from 24 October until Armistice Day on 11 November and the British Legion is hoping to raise £50 million to support the Forces community and their families.