This year the RSA marks 100 years of the Poppy Appeal. First held on the day before Anzac Day in 1922, the familiar red poppy continues to serve as a symbol of remembrance, while the appeal raises critical funds used to support the welfare of New Zealand’s veterans.
This year’s Poppy Campaign runs throughout the month of April with the street appeal, known as Poppy Day, being held on 22 April. The 2022 campaign hopes to raise much needed funds while increasing awareness of New Zealand’s younger veterans.
The RSA’s National President BJ Clark, said that today’s veterans aren’t acknowledged in the same way their predecessors were.
“In the last 30 years New Zealand has created over 30,000 veterans under the age of 50. These men and women have served in areas from Bosnia to Timor Leste, Iraq, Afghanistan, across the Pacific and even Antarctica.
Many New Zealanders don’t understand that even on peacekeeping missions our service people can be affected mentally and physically by both the environment they serve in, and the situations they are exposed to. Our younger veterans come home with little fanfare and return to a society that has no real understanding of what they’ve been part of.
While most will return to their normal lives with no issues, some will struggle to reintegrate, they might be injured or experience ongoing mental health issues as a result of their service. This can have a profound effect on both them and their families and the RSA helps ensure they have access to appropriate support.”
100% of donations received by the RSA goes towards funding its support services. The RSA has 250 support advisors across the country providing a range of services to veterans. In the last year over 45% of support provided by the RSA was received by those under 60 years of age.
April is one of the busiest months for the RSA, with the Poppy Campaign and preparations for the commemorations held across the country on Anzac Day.
“After the disruption of the last couple of years, we’re looking forward to getting back to more traditional commemorations this Anzac Day,” Mr Clark said.
“While not all services will be back to normal, New Zealanders can expect to see more public commemorations now that the Covid 19 restrictions have eased.
Most of us have a connection to the Armed Forces – either through our Grandparents, parents, a partner, or maybe a brother or sister. Anzac Day is the opportunity for all New Zealanders to gather together and remember the service and sacrifice they have made on our behalf.”
For more information please contact the RSA’s Communications and Marketing Manager, Rachel Riley – media@rsa.org.nz or 027 297 3313
This year’s Poppy Campaign runs throughout the month of April with the street appeal, known as Poppy Day, being held on 22 April. The 2022 campaign hopes to raise much needed funds while increasing awareness of New Zealand’s younger veterans.
“In the last 30 years New Zealand has created over 30,000 veterans under the age of 50. These men and women have served in areas from Bosnia to Timor Leste, Iraq, Afghanistan, across the Pacific and even Antarctica.