Sunderland’s longest established taxi firm has unveiled a special ‘Poppy Taxi’ to commemorate the centenary of the Armistice and show their support to the Royal British Legion’s annual poppy appeal.
A newly branded Station Taxis vehicle has taken to the streets of the city to raise awareness of this year’s Armistice day which falls on Remembrance Sunday. It will remain in operation throughout the year.
Armistice Day is celebrated in the UK on November 11, and marks the Armistice signed at 11am, 11 November 1918 (the eleventh hour on the eleventh day on the eleventh month) to end World War 1. This year, marks 100 years since the end of the war and coincides with Britain’s Remembrance Sunday.
The public holiday is associated with the Royal British Legions Annual Poppy Appeal.
The Poppy Appeal is the Royal British Legion’s biggest fundraising campaign held every year in November, the period of Remembrance. Founded in 1921, the Poppy Appeal raises funds for servicemen and women and their families.
Trevor Hines, Managing Director at Station Taxis said: “We have displayed poppies on our vehicles for a number of years. We felt that with this year being the Centenary of Armistice day, that we should do something special to commemorate the fallen who lost their lives in the First World War.”
“We hope that the taxi will encourage people to go and buy a poppy ahead of this year’s Remembrance Day and actively engage with the Royal British Legion’s campaign.”
Peter Milne, Community Fundraiser for the Royal British Legion in Sunderland, said: “The Royal British Legion would like to thank Station Taxis for this wonderful show of support. Remembrance Sunday is always a very important day for the Armed Forces community and this will be greatly appreciated by them.
“The work of the Legion is as relevant and vital today as it was in the aftermath of the First World War when the charity was founded. Donations during this Poppy Appeal will help the Legion support today’s Armed Forces community through hardships, injury and bereavements. Generations of the Armed Forces have continued to serve and sacrifice since the First World War, and we recognise and thank them all for their contribution.”