Visitors to Network Rail stations help boost Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal towards £1 million target

Passengers and visitors to London’s busiest railway stations were thanked for their generosity after helping raise funds in support of the Royal British Legion’s (RBL) Poppy Day appeal on Thursday 30 October (London Poppy Day),

Around 3,000 armed forces personnel from the Royal Navy, British Army, and RAF, along with volunteer collectors, shook their collection buckets at 12 Network Rail managed stations in London, including Waterloo, Paddington, and Victoria. Collectors also visited other stations across the country, including Bristol Temple Meads and Edinburgh Waverley.

Fundraising reached new heights as barrister and broadcaster Rob Rinder joined the Royal Marines abseil team at Waterloo station to officially launch London Poppy Day 2025, marking the capital’s continued commitment to supporting the Armed Forces community. Several military bands and choirs also performed at stations throughout London, entertaining travellers and encouraging donations.

Malcolm Pitt, head of customer experience and accessibility at Network Rail said: “Network Rail has long supported the Royal British Legion and proudly welcomes volunteer collectors and military personnel into our stations. We thank our passengers and visitors for their generous contributions to this important cause.”

Volunteer collectors will continue to be present in Network Rail managed stations over the coming week, helping to raise additional funds for the RBL’s London and City Poppy Days. The railway industry is supporting them with free travel to and from any station on the network to managed stations from 29 to 31 October, enabling collectors to fundraise throughout the day.

Additional activity will also take place on Armistice Day (Tuesday 11 November) including at London Paddington station when poppy wreaths from across the Great Western Railway network will arrive on designated trains as part of Poppies to Paddington. In its 200th year, the rail network’s commemoration will also honour its crucial role during times of conflict.