Celebrities join veterans’ charity to request painted poppy pebbles to mark remembrance

Stars and influencers including Sophie Ellis Bextor, Anneka Rice and Sammy Winward are showing their support for Remembrance Day this year by backing a national poppy pebble painting initiative, led by the Forces Employment Charity.

The Poppy Pebbles Project invites schools, veterans and the public to paint a poppy on a pebble and place it on a war memorial or veteran’s headstone to commemorate Remembrance Day.

Participants are encouraged to undertake research to identify and visit local war graves in their area via the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website, finding information about the veteran who was buried there.

Colin Back, National Director of Project Nova at the Forces Employment Charity who designed the initiative, said: “The Poppy Pebbles project originally started life as a mindfulness activity during lockdown for some of our most veteran clients. vulnerable, whom we help to find a job.

“However, we have found that the idea has really struck a chord with the general public and is now seeing people participating across the country, from all walks of life, as their way of commemorating Remembrance.

“We are delighted that this year the Poppy Pebbles project has also captured the imagination of some famous faces, who are helping us to encourage more people than ever to get involved.”

For more information, including a free Poppy Pebbles resource pack, visit www.forcesemployment.org.uk/poppypebbles

To donate to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal, go to www.rbl.org.uk/poppyappeal and click ‘donate’.