Oxfordshire Poppy Appeal launched at Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace hosted the Lord Lieutenant for Oxfordshire, Mrs Marjorie Glasgow BEM, on Friday October 27 who represented His Majesty the King when she reviewed the parade.

For the first time in over 100 years, during a ceremony of this nature, the Lord Lieutenant attended on horseback.

READ MORE: First look as Oxfordshire Gosford Hill school to be rebuilt

Royal British Legion County Chairman, Pete Eldrige, said: "The Poppy Appeal is an important event in Oxfordshire which so many people have been involved in the planning of.

This year's Remembrance Poppy has also been given a makeover. (Image: Pete Seaward)

"Thank you to the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough for allowing the event to take place in the beautiful setting that is Blenheim Palace and to the Estates Manager, Events Manager and all the Blenheim Palace staff who always support us."

This year's event featured The Chinnor War Horses dressed as First World War Cavalry Troops, which set off with the first Oxfordshire County Poppy of the 2023 Appeal, from the direction of the Column of Victory at Blenheim Palace.

The Presentation Poppy was handed over to the Oxfordshire Home Guard, who marched to present it to the Lord Lieutenant.

This year's Remembrance poppy was given a make-over as it is now completely plastic-free and easily recycled.

However, the new poppies are sold alongside stock of the original poppy.

Mr Eldrige added: "The money raised from the Poppy Appeal can make a vital difference to people in the Armed Forces community.

"In Oxfordshire, the charity has helped the Armed Forces community from the area in a range of ways, from mental health support, help with recovery, advice on gaining employment, housing help and managing the cost of living. 

"In 2022 the National Poppy Appeal achieved £47m in donations to help our veterans, with the target set for £50m in 2023.”

The Royal British Legion (RBL) is the UK’s largest charity dedicated to supporting the needs of the Armed Forces community, past and present, and their families.

The Royal British Legion is the UK's largest charity dedicated to supporting the needs of the Armed Forces community. (Image: Pete Seaward)

The charity, which organises the Poppy Appeal every October and November, relies on more than 3,500 dedicated volunteers to help deliver the appeal across the UK each year.

The Royal British Legion was founded May 15 1921 and its poppies were made of silk at the time.

They sold out straight away and raised more than £106,000 for those whose lives had been affected by the war, helping to find them jobs and somewhere to live once they were no longer serving in the army.

An increasing number of people on TV and in the streets will now wear red poppies in the days leading up to Remembrance Day on November 11.

Their significance has gradually expanded to cover those who have lost their lives on active service in all conflicts rather than just the Great War.