PAO Report

2025-26

As we come to the end of 2025, we are in effect in the middle of the current Poppy Appeal Year, which runs from 1^stof October through to the 30^thtof September. With this being my second year as the PAO, I was more confident about how we were going to manage. But, as I said last year, the Poppy Appeal is not about individuals, it is a team effort, and in that regard, I can say that we have been truly blessed with people, who have gone the extra mile and more. I don’t want to name names, but curtain key members have made my job so easy, that I am almost embarrassed to hold the role of PAO.

The retail industry is constantly changing, and we see the effects of on-line shopping, and the closure of well-known high street stores, and this means we have lost some key collection points, such as M&S, Tesco Express and Morrisons Daily, with these companies having a central agreement with RBL HQ.  However, we were able to have a daily attendance in Sainsbury’s, Lidl (2 sites), Asda and Boots (Wren Park). Although covering four shifts a day for two weeks was a challenge, and we will be looking at how we manage that next year. Regarding M&S, although we were not in the store, we did have a daily presentence, with members of the Brixham Battery Heritage group maintaining a high-profile position by the main doors.    One site that we had to step back from, was the Aldi store, on Newton Road. Simply because we did have the people to staff it. Two new stores that we now have as corporate partners, are TK Max and B&Q.

Another new site for us, was the exhibition area, on level 4, in the main entrance of Torbay Hospital. 

One area where our absence was noted, was Union Square, in the town centre. With the loss of retail units, such as Wilco and others, and the drop on footfall, it was considered unwise to have anybody in that area. By way of compensation, we were able to have static collection points in other places in Union Street. Also, we have established a link with Tesco and hope to have a presentence in the Fleet Street store next year

We did, also have a street collection on Saturday the 1^st of November, with the Torquay unit of the Army Cadet Force (ACF) which was very successful. And I must mention the ATC (Air Cadets) that covered three whole Saturdays in Sainsbury’s.

We were also blessed with volunteers that held a street collection in Princess Gardens, at the time of the Civic Remembrance Parade and Service. Also, there was a collection around the St.Marychurch Precinct, and a generous donation from Bygones. 

Another notable addition this year was the support of several Primary Schools, under supervision, with children and teachers spending time in Sainsbury’s.

Whilst visiting the schools to deliver Certificates of Appreciation, we gathered more support for others to join in this way next year.

We also had a very successful evening at TUFC. We have a small number of cooperate partners, who help cover some of the shifts, in the stores, and we would always welcome more.

As I said at the beginning, this has been a real team effort and, on that note, I must not forget the assistance of Torquay Rotary in distributing and collection boxes from all the schools.

One issue that is affecting many chartable collections. is the fact that many people do not carry cash, and this year we were pleased to say that with the use of Contactless Card Machines and QR Codes on all boxes we did, in fact, see a significant rise in donations though this channel. Most people seem to be more generous when giving in this way.

One consequence of card donations is that we have a lot less cash to count and bank. Over the last two years, we have been able to use the coin counting facility, in the Natwest bank in Torquay,  With the closure of NatWest bank we face an issue next year, in how we deal with cash.  

There are many other points that I could mention, but I think I have covered most things for now, except to say the total collected to date Is £60,318. However, this is not the final figure, and we won’t know that until RBL HQ advises us next year.

I would say that this a very good result, particularly in the current financial situation.

Bless you all, and I look forward to working with you all again next year.

Please  encourage others to join in by volunteering.

RICHARD PEARCE, TORQUAY PAO.