Community pulls together for Dudley poppy fundraiser
A community has pulled together to raise funds for the Poppy Appeal during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Royal British Legion's poppy appeal in Dudley had virtually no volunteers due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Rose Cook-Monk, founder of the Duncan Edwards Foundation and a member of the British Legion, stepped forward to coordinate the poppy selling appeal in the town centre.
She enlisted the help of two former Dudley mayors - Melvyn Mottram, Steve Waltho - as well as the Steve Austin, chairman of Dudley Town.
Meanwhile Steve Pitts, who runs the Black Country T-Shirt shop in Castle Street, offered to get specially designed Black Country poppy pins manufactured, which quickly sold out.
All profits were handed over to Councillor Waltho and Rose, who is also a member of Dudley's Remembrance Concert Committee, to be donated to the charity appeal.
Councillor Waltho said: "We're extremely fortunate to have people like Rose and Steve supporting our annual poppy concert and poppy appeal.
"The sale of the poppy pins raised nearly £1,300 which is a substantial amount given the Covid restrictions we're all living under.
"I'd also like to thank the Gentlemen Songsters Male Voice Choir of which I'm a member and who not only staged a virtual Remembrance Concert courtesy of Black Country Radio but also raised several hundred pounds for the British Legion from their own Just Giving page.
"There are so many good people out there doing great things despite the pandemic and I pay tribute to them all."
Next year, Rose is hoping to lead the poppy selling appeal alongside the Dudley Remembrance Concert group who are hoping to stage their live concert in person again featuring the Gentlemen Songsters on November 4.
