Less We Forget

What is the RSA Poppy Appeal?

The RSA Poppy Appeal has been a New Zealand institution since 1922, it is New Zealand’s longest-running charity street appeal. This year the appeal is being held on Friday 16 April, the week before Anzac Day.

The Poppy Appeal is the RSA’s major fund-raising drive. The RSA uses funds raised through the Poppy Appeal to support current and former servicemen and women of all ages and all service backgrounds. RSA support is available to people who have served operationally in places like Vietnam, Bosnia, East Timor and Afghanistan – as well as the personnel who haven’t deployed overseas.

The RSAs bottom line is that if you have served your country in the military, you are eligible for support. Those we support don’t need to be members of the RSA.

The support can take many forms, whether it is assistance with payment for items like hearing aids, essential home repairs or anything in between, in many cases, The RSA is the only organisation that can, and will provide the assistance required.

In 2020 the street appeal was cancelled due to the nationwide Covid lockdown and The RSA was given two million dollars by the government to address the veteran need. Requests for support from veterans across New Zealand were collated and assessed before funds were allocated.

Traditionally funds were raised locally and used locally. All donations are distributed by RSA’s to people in their local areas, but in 2020, the emergency grants were allocated to veterans across New Zealand from RSA National Office in Wellington.