White poppiesВ haveВ been worn on Remembrance Day for over 85 years, forВ almost as long as red poppies.

Why do you wear white poppies on Remembrance Day rather than at aВ different time of year?Д«ecause they are a symbol of remembrance. It is not white poppy wearers who are depriving British veterans of support it is the UK government. The UK government has been slashing the welfare state in recent years while maintaining the fourth highest military budgetВ in the world. We believe, however, that such people should be able to turn to a well-funded welfare state rather than having to rely on charity. We want to see decent support for people affected by war. When white poppies were launched in the 1930s by the Women's Co-operative Guild, their General Secretary Eleanor Barton insisted that, 'The Guild was most anxious that nothing should be done that would prejudice the help given to disabled soldiers.' However, the British Legion refused the Guild's request to produce white poppies or to print 'No More War' at the centre of red poppies. Many white poppies wearers make donations to such charities. There is nothing to stop someone wearing a white poppy while also donating to a charity to help those wounded in war. Some argue that if you buy a white poppy you are taking away money that would go to support wounded veterans if you bought a red poppy instead. Local outlets are expected not to use any money made for personal gain. This is not controlled centrally and a number of charities benefit. White poppies are primarily about the message of peace and remembrance more than about raising funds.ДЄt a local level, peace groups, shops and other outlets that sell white poppies may choose to donate money raised to a charity or campaign supporting victims of war. However, the reality is that far fewer white poppies are currently sold than red poppies, so anyВ profits they make are relatively small. Remembering people killed in wars in the past naturally leads us to work to prevent war in the present and the future. Where does the money go?ДЄt a national level, any profits from white poppy sales go towards promoting peaceful alternatives to war, campaigning against militarism and our peace education work. Outside of the UK, white poppies are sold most commonly in Canada, New Zealand and Belgium. We receive orders for white poppies from around the world. We are of course concerned with the message behind the white poppy and not only the sales figures. White poppies are distributed via individuals as well as shops, schools, colleges, workplaces, faith groups, trade union branches and museums. In 2018, we sold 122,385 white poppies: more than any year since white poppies were first worn in 1933. In 2015, the number of white poppies sold passed the 100,000 mark for the first time. The number of white poppies sold each year varies and has risen steadily in recent years. How many white poppies are sold each year? Today, white poppies are distributed by the Peace Pledge Union (PPU). The Guild's General Secretary, Eleanor Barton, called for renewed commitment 'to that 'Never Again' spirit that was strong in 1918, but seems to grow weaker as years go on'. TheyВ were worried by the growing militarisation of Remembrance events and the detachment between the red poppy and the need to work for peace. White poppies were first produced in 1933 by the Co-operative Women's Guild, made up largely of women who had lost husbands, fathers, sons, brothers and friends in World War One. You can reach us at Are white poppies a recent invention? If you would like to sell them in your area, we would be pleased to hear from you. There are also many shops, cafes, faith groups and other outlets that sell white poppies.

a challenge to any attempts to glamorise or celebrate war.

remembrance for all victims of war, both military and civilian.

Remembrance poppy sale