Dame Vera’s duet launches poppy appeal

FORCES sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn joined soprano singer Hayley Westenra yesterday for an emotional rendition of the classic wartime song, We’ll Meet Again, to launch the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal.

The pair held hands to sing in front of the crowd in London’s Horse Guards Parade, accompanied by the Regimental Band of the Irish Guards and flanked by four troopers from the Queen’s Life Guards in full state ceremonial regalia.

Dame Vera, 92, said: “I want you all to remember our boys over there in Afghanistan and not forgetting our boys in the last conflict. Thank you all for coming, and do spare a moment of peace and quiet to remember and wish our boys safely back home. Thank you.”

This year’s appeal urges people to support troops wounded in Afghanistan and the families of those killed by wearing a poppy.

For the first time the poster campaign features the image of a coffin being repatriated from Afghanistan. This year’s appeal, which aims to raise £31million, is accompanied by a poster campaign featuring a young war widow and a Royal Marine double amputee.

Children can create Christmas cards that will be sent to British soldiers serving in Afghanistan. The National Army Museum in London is inviting young visitors to come up with designs to bring cheer to troops on the front line. The cards will be sent to UK forces in Afghanistan in Christmas packages prepared by the charity Support our Soldiers. The competition, for children aged three to seven and eight to 12, closes on November 1.