Poppy Appeal Launch 2008

The Royal British Legion - Derbyshire County Poppy Appeal Launch 2008 took place in two stages this year. On Thursday 23rd October 2008 the launch 'kicked off' at the Derby County Football Club's, Moor Farm Training Centre, Morley Road, Oakwood, Derby when the Rams President and Chief Executive - Mr Tom Glick was the first to buy a poppy. The Derby County players all then purchased poppies. The Poppy Appeal Launch started a day early because of the players commitments at an away match at the weekend. Also present at the launch was Rebecca Adlington the winner of two Olympic gold medals for swimming.

The official launch then took place on Friday 24th October 2008 at the Derby County Football Club's, Pride Park Football Stadium, Derby when poppies were purchased by the Rams Vice-President, Operations - Mr John Vicars and the Vice-President, Commercial - Mr Tim Hinchey at the pitch side. The Appeal was launched in the presence of Mrs Judith Wright and Miss Nicola Parkin.

Others present at the launch were The County President Mr Bill Else; The County Poppy Appeal Organiser, Mr Colin Picken; The County Manager Mr Paul Mulingani and County Welfare Officer Mrs Kate Maunder and their Staff and Members of Derbyshire County Committee.

Mrs Judith Wright is the mother of Drummer Thomas Wright of the 1st Battalion The Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment. Killed on Sunday 24 June 2007 whilst serving in Afghanistan, he was aged 21. The family come from Ripley, Derbyshire.

Drummer Thomas Wright

Mrs Judith Wright

Miss Nicola Parkin is the fiancée of Leading Aircraftman Martin Beard of No 1 Squadron Royal Air Force Regiment. Killed on Tuesday 7 August 2007 whilst on a routine foot patrol in the Al Waki district north of the British Base at Basra Air Station, Iraq, he was aged 20.


Miss Nicola Parkin	LAC Martin Beard (Photo © Crown Copyright/MOD)