London Poppy Day breaks fundraising record

The Royal British Legion (RBL) broke its fundraising record for London Poppy Day after raising more than £1.7m in one day of donations being collected across the capital.

On 29 October, the charity marked the 20th anniversary of its annual fundraising event in the capital for the armed forces community and included performances from military bands and choirs at more than 20 stations including Waterloo, Liverpool Street, Euston and London Bridge.

In 2025, the event raised almost £1.5m for the RBL.

Tamsin Fraser, head of the Poppy Appeal, said that 12 hours of fundraising in the capital had raised an "incredible sum", adding: "Everyone came out in force for us."

Approximately 4,000 armed forces personnel and civilian volunteers collected donations at stations, transport hubs and other locations across the capital.

Fraser said that when London Poppy Day began 20 years ago with a few volunteers, it raised £500.

This year the charity had people collecting donations at 74 locations across the capital including for the first time the Thames Clippers and Battersea Power Station. Military bands and choirs helped to draw attention to the fundraising, Fraser said.

"We support approximately 8,000 families at any one time," she said. "Behind every military uniform there is a family, and we are really grateful for every donation.

"It is not too late to get your poppy before Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day."

Donations from London Poppy Day and the Poppy Appeal are used to support serving personnel, veterans and their families.

The campaign encourages the public to wear a poppy to recognise those who have served in the armed forces.

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