With 8 decades of experience, Vera Parnaby, from Consett in Country Durham, is one of the UK’s longest-serving poppy sellers. Through her role, she has raised more than £1M for the British Legion, the charity which runs the poppy appeal to support members and veterans of the British Armed Forces and their families.
Locally, Mrs Parnaby has earned the nickname ‘Mrs Poppy’ for her passion for the cause. She began selling poppies to honour her father who died while serving during the Second World War.
She has organised the whole appeal for her town for the last 30 years and has seen it grow bigger and change with the times. She was recognised for her service in 2020 by former Prime Minister Boris Johnston with the Points Of Light award, and again in 2021 by then Prince Charles and Camilla with a celebration at Clarence House to mark the opening of the annual poppy appeal.
After being involved for the majority of her life, she has no plans to give it up now, saying to the BBC, ‘I would still do my bit even if I wasn’t organising.’
