Kobi -Jean Cole, Miss Great Britain 2019, has launched this year’s Animal Purple Poppy Fund appeal wearing a stunning cloak made up of thousands of knitted purple poppies sent to us from all corners of the country and from Canada, Australia, America, New Zealand, Ireland and Cyprus.

The Fund remembers animals that gave service and sacrifice in war, and supports animals in need and military causes today.Kobi, a 23-year-old anti-bullying ambassador from Bristol, wore the cloak at the Animals in War Memorial in Hyde Park – an appropriate venue dedicated to all animals that served and died alongside British and Allied forces in wars and campaigns throughout time – and ahead of National Purple Poppy Day which is August 23, 2019.

She says she was honoured to have been chosen to launch the Appeal and proud to wear the cloak of many poppies made by hundreds of kind-hearted people. “I have always been an animal lover, and so it was a great honour for me to have been asked to launch this year’s Appeal to support such worthy causes and become a Ambassador Volunteer. I love that every poppy is different and because of that each is special.”

For our part we couldn’t have chosen anyone as kind and genuine as Kobi. We think you will agree that she made our wonderful cloak even more beautiful.On Friday, National Purple Poppy Day 2019, there is to be a special service and ceremony at Canterbury Cathedral, organised by the Canterbury Branch of the Royal Artillery Association, and we have been invited to attend and speak by John Bishop, Association Chairman and one of our valued Ambassador Volunteers.

The cloak of many poppies will be placed over Poppy our War Horse, in Ascot, which we believe is a fitting tribute to all those of you who sent us your knitted poppies which we know were made with love and care.We at War Horse Memorial been both astonished and humbled by the way you, the Great British public - and our friends in America, Australia, Canada, Cyprus, Ireland and New Zealand - have taken the cause to your hearts.

The animal charity Blue Cross is selling boxes of our emblematic purple poppy pin badges in its high street shops and across its hospitals, clinics and rehoming services. Meanwhile our network of organisations, pet stores, schools and supporters across the UK have been busy already. Last year we were pleased to sell 5,000 badges – this year we already have an astonishing 300,000 pre orders, and an army of Ambassador volunteers enthusiastically selling them across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

We know many of you have organised purple poppy events over the coming weeks and we would love it if you could send us your photos and images so we can share with our growing army of supporters and friends. Send to susan@thewarhorsememorial.org and we will make sure every one is included. And we want to continue the knitted poppy theme so please don’t pack away your wool and needles just yet.