Dancers pay tribute to loved ones from Armed Forces for Inverness Poppy Day
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DANCERS will be making sure Inverness Poppy Day goes with a swing as they pay tribute to loved ones who served in the Armed Forces.
Poppyscotland has re–launched Come Dancing with Poppyscotland in association with Toe2Toe Dance event for the city-wide fundraising day for the Scottish Poppy Appeal. Novice dancers are putting on their dancing shoes and practising their steps with experienced partners ahead of the event taking place in March, at the Kingsmill Hotel.
Volunteers are collecting at different locations around the city, as part of the annual appeal in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday, on November 13.
The dancers taking part spoke of their pain for lost loved ones, and the impact from their time in uniform.
Alison Winter, from Inverness, signed up in memory of her father, who passed away when she was just nine years old. Alison said: “He was in the Royal Marines from the age of 16 and was only 47 when he died. When I was very young I used to go to dancing school, but I gave it up when I lost my dad. I lost all my self-confidence.
“I decided to take part in the event for a couple of reasons. One was for my own self-confidence and the second reason was in memory of my dad. Poppyscotland is a cause that is really close to me and my family and they do a huge amount for veterans.”
Fellow rookie dancer, Kim Brown, from Nairn, was inspired to sign up by her father, and in memory of her brother-in-law.
She said: “My dad was in the Royal Navy. He was part of combined ops in the Falklands so he saw active service there and he still carries that with him to this day. My brother-in-law, Paul, was in the Scots Guards and he was unfortunately killed serving in Northern Ireland. I also have three brothers-in-law that have all served in the Forces too.”
Describing her first ballroom dancing experience, Kim said: “I'm not going to lie, I was a bit nervous that it wasn't going to go in, but it seems to be clicking now. Toe2Toe are absolutely brilliant. Tris is a great instructor, really patient and really encouraging.”
Gordon Michie, Poppyscotland’s head of fundraising and learning, said: “Inverness Poppy Day is a vital part of the annual Scottish Poppy Appeal in the Highlands. But while this day and the whole Appeal period accounts for around half of our income, fundraising from other events throughout the year is equally important. That’s why we are launching Come Dancing with Poppyscotland, in association with Toe2Toe Dance on Inverness Poppy Day.
“Our Armed Forces do remarkable things to ensure we can enjoy our way of life. Wearing a poppy shows serving personnel, veterans and their families that you care, and their service and sacrifices will never be forgotten. Whether it’s donating to the Poppy Appeal, buying a ticket for Come Dancing or doing your own fundraising, all the money raised helps Poppyscotland continue it vital, life-changing work supporting our Armed Forces community.”
For more information on the 2022 Scottish Poppy Appeal and to buy tickets for the Come Dancing event, visit poppyscotland.org.uk.
