Poppies worn for remembrance

Small red flowers could be seen on the lapels of every second person in Tauranga's central city as the Returned Services Association marked its annual appeal leading up to Anzac Day.

The RSA Poppy Day appeal is held every Friday before April 25th and dozens of volunteers were out collecting in the city yesterday.

Former soldier Geoff Preston bought a poppy at a Devonport Rd stall as part of his plans to commemorate Anzac Day in Katikati on Wednesday.

"I just believe in the whole thing," Mr Preston said.

"I did time in the army during my misspent youth. It [the poppy] commemorates that."

Behind him, pinning a newly-bought poppy to his shirt, was Rob Binns.

"I bought it for the same reason as we have the Dawn Service and Anzac Day, remembering the fallen," Mr Binns said.

Tauranga RSA volunteer Kathryn Bluett said Anzac Day was particularly special for her.

"My father was in the 28th Maori Battalion service in B Company and I'll be wearing his medals on Wednesday."

Anzac Day was also her father's birthday.

Fellow RSA volunteer Kath Thurston said the appeal had been quieter than other years but more young people had bought poppies.

"Some of the young ones are very generous. They know more than some of the older ones," she said.

Poppies were the first flowers that grew in the battlefields of Flanders in Belgium during World War I and are a symbol of remembrance and hope.