New poppy supplier to power veteran support

26 June 2014

New poppy supplier to power veteran support

Christchurch RSA has been confirmed as the new national poppy supplier for the RSA’s annual Poppy Appeal.

RSA National Office announced today that Christchurch RSA’s strong tender will allow more of the funds donated for each poppy to be available for the support of veterans and ex-servicemen and women in need.

RSA Chief Executive, David Moger, says that a robust and independent tender process was launched in February 2014 by National Office after the previous contract came to a close, to ensure the RSA continues to get the best possible result for New Zealand’s ex-service community.

“We’re delighted to be partnering once again with Christchurch RSA. Not only did they put forward the most competitive proposal enabling more funds to go towards the support of veterans, but in doing so, they’ve brought the production of poppies back to New Zealand,” Moger says.

“The poppies that Kiwis wear on the centenary of Gallipoli in 2015 and throughout the centenary of WWI will be made in New Zealand.”

Peter Dawson, Christchurch RSA President, says that while the poppies will look like the same iconic symbols New Zealanders wear for remembrance each year, the new supply will be produced in Christchurch by local RSA members using a state of the art automated manufacturing process.

“Our first duty is to our ex-servicemen and women and we’re proud to have pioneered a manufacturing process that’ll enable us to supply poppies at a better cost than those produced overseas,” says Dawson.

“Not only will the poppies we supply be registered New Zealand Made, but they’ll also be Christchurch made. Last year one million poppies were distributed nationwide and we’re bringing the economic benefits of that production back home to Christchurch.”

Poppy Day has been raising funds for the RSA’s support services since 1922, making it one of New Zealand’s oldest street appeals. Poppy donations are used for the support of all veterans, ex-servicemen and women and their dependants, whether or not they’re members of an RSA.

Peter Dawson says, “Christchurch RSA has just funded cataract surgery for a veteran and that one act will make a huge positive impact on their life. Every day, all across the country RSAs are making a real difference through Poppy Day donations. This is what the poppy is doing for New Zealand and why we feel so honoured to be providing them.”

Australian based company Cash’s was the previous supplier of poppies to New Zealand RSAs after winning the tender in 2010. Previously Christchurch RSA had supplied poppies nationally.

ENDS

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