Chiswick's Poppy Appeal Launched at Sainsbury's

By Mayor Paul Lynch and retired Gurkha Tul Bahadur Pun VC

Mayor of Hounslow, Councillor Paul Lynch, had the pleasure of introducing Tul Bahadur Pun VC to the members of the public and staff at Sainsbury’s in Chiswick, as the first poppies of this year's appeal were sold.

Tul Bahadur Pun, who served with the Gurkha Rifles, won his VC in a heroic action in WWII in Burma where his courage and disregard for his own safety saved many lives. He is a strong supporter of the Poppy Appeal and was very pleased to open the campaign in Chiswick.

The photo (right) shows him with the Mayor and Mayoress, Royal British Legion members and Sainsbury’s staff.

The Mayor says “We are very fortunate to have the support and assistance of one of the bravest men in history. Since he has lived in Hounslow I have seen quite a bit of him, and he is very concerned for our young men going out to fight in Afghanistan.

"He gives them advice, drawn from very considerable experience, and urges us all support them and their families. We can best do this by giving generously to the Poppy Appeal. Poppies will be on sale at Sainsbury’s and other shops and offices until 11th November.”

Jim Lowther, who served in the Inniskilling Fusiliers, is master-minding the Chiswick Poppy Appeal. He paid tribute to the long-standing support provided by Sainsbury’s for the Appeal. “They have always gone out of their way to help,” he says, “We could not do it without them.” The Mayor in his speech launching the appeal made special mention of the assistance given, and thanked the staff on behalf of the wounded who will benefit from the collection.

November 3, 2009