– Major stations will see volunteers collecting donations
– Free travel for Poppyscotland staff and volunteers
– Collection tins at every staffed station
– Over £57,000 raised last year

The ScotRail Alliance has launched its campaign in support of the 2017 Scottish Poppy Appeal – with the help of two veterans who now work on the railway.

As part of its campaign to encourage customers to ‘go the extra mile’ for Scotland’s veterans, two ScotRail Alliance employees – both veterans themselves – walked a mile along the platforms at Glasgow Central to raise money for the charity, where three giant poppies have been placed around the station.

Last year was the first where the ScotRail Alliance supported the campaign nationally, raising £57,892.49 for Poppyscotland. This year collection tins will be placed at all staffed stations, and poppies will be for sale at all ScotRail ticket offices.

Collectors will be welcomed in to four of Scotland’s busiest stations – Glasgow Central, Queen Street, Edinburgh Waverley and Haymarket – which will also host ‘Poppy-up’ shops from now until 11 November, selling a wide range of merchandise in aid of Poppyscotland.

Poppyscotland staff and volunteers have been issued with free on-duty travel passes for use throughout the year. The ScotRail Alliance will also be undertaking the mammoth task of counting and banking all donations collected at their stations.

ScotRail Alliance managing director Alex Hynes said:

“I am exceptionally proud that we are supporting Poppyscotland once again this year. We should never fail to remember the sacrifice of those who have served, and those who continue to serve, our country.

“Our armed forces go the extra mile for us 365 days a year, and it’s the donations we make now that helps this excellent charity do its work all year round.”

Sean Murphy, a former navy submariner who is now a safety trainer and assessor with the ScotRail Alliance, said:

“It was a pleasure to go the extra mile for Poppyscotland. The work they do is invaluable to armed forces personnel, both past and present.

“At this time of year it is important that we remember those who have fallen, for the sacrifice that they have made. But it’s also vital that we don’t forget those who returned, and the support that many of them require.”

Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising at Poppyscotland said:

“We are delighted to be working with the ScotRail Alliance once again this year, and extremely grateful for their ever increasing level of support.

“We’re asking the public to go the extra mile in their fundraising for this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal and the ScotRail Alliance is setting a shining example of how businesses can also go the extra mile. Its fantastic support will help Poppyscotland continue to provide our vital, life-changing support for the Armed Forces community.”