PRESS RELEASE
November 4th, 2009

Inverclyde remembers

Greenock and Inverclyde MSP Duncan McNeil has teamed up with Inverclyde veterans champion Gerry Dorrian to for this year’s poppy appeal.

Ahead of Remembrance Day on Sunday, Councillor Dorrian was invited to the Scottish Parliament as part of the 2009 Scottish Poppy Appeal.

He was greeted by local MSP Duncan McNeil and presiding officer Alex Fergusson at the event.

Mr McNeil said: “The Scottish Poppy Appeal is the only charity officially recognised by the Scottish Parliament, which gives you an indication of the high-standing our veterans are held in and I am delighted to support it yet again.

“With his experience in the forces, I am sure Gerry will do a great job in championing our veterans and we will both be wearing our poppies with pride this week before paying our respects on Sunday.”
Councillor Dorrian said : “I had the honour and privilege to serve in the Royal Air Force for ten years after joining in 1968 as a boy recruit.

“The role our armed forces play around the world is vital and I think it is essential veterans’ loyalty and dedication is repaid by making their transition back into civilian life as smooth as we possibly can and to veterans of previous conflicts we must be available to show our gratitude and respect for their sacrifice.”

Presiding Officer Alex Fergusson MSP, who is both an Honorary Vice President and Director of Poppy Scotland, said: "The Veterans' Champions will provide a key link between veterans’ groups and local and national government.

"We are all only too aware of the growing need for the services offered by veterans' care charities in these times of conflict and recession, and I very much hope the 2009 Poppy Appeal combined with the Veterans’ Champions initiative will go some way to meeting those needs.

"It was great to meet many of the veterans' champions, including Gerry, during their visit to Holyrood and I am very grateful for their support and involvement."

Poppyscotland supports veterans and their dependants in Scotland through the help of dedicated volunteers and donors. The 2008 Scottish Poppy Appeal raised just over £2 million, an increase of 16% on 2007. Grants totalling over £2.4 million were made last year to help veterans and their families.

ENDS