The family of a young Army veteran have surprised their neighbours by decorating their whole street and primary school with handmade poppies for the launch of the Royal British Legion’s 2019 Poppy Appeal, with the support of local service personnel.
Eight-year-old Maisie Mead and her little four-year-old brother Harry, who are pupils at St Matthew’s Church of England Primary School in Derriford, came up with the idea to get their local community involved in this years’ Poppy Appeal – a cause close to the family’s heart.
The family live on Bluebell Street but have temporarily changed the name to ‘Poppy Street’ with the support of local service personnel.
Maisie said:
“My Daddy was a soldier and both my Grandad’s were in the Army. I am so proud of them and want to thank our service men and women for keeping us safe.
“Remembrance Day is so important. I want to bring it to my neighbours and help them remember with us. When I told my Mummy and Daddy what I wanted to do they smiled and said they are very proud of me and would help me make it happen.”
James Mead (34), the children’s father, served with the Army in the Royal Logistics Corps for 12 years. Sadly, he suffered a life-changing back injury four years ago and was subsequently medically discharged from the military at the age of 31.
James said:
“As a veteran of the Armed Forces and coming from a military family, Remembrance Day is very important to me. My family’s lives have been created around the services and now we are proud members of our ever-growing veteran community. To see Maisie take this into her heart is so amazing; she makes me very proud. My family are my strength and I could not be prouder of them.”
Maisie and Harry have witnessed their Dad go from being incredibly fit and active to being wheelchair bound and having to have years of rehabilitation, including time spent in the former Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court.
Maisie has been there to help in his recovery from day one and has become passionate about raising money for charities who support ‘injured hero’s like her Daddy’, running her first fundraiser bake-sale aged just four years old.
Soldiers from Derriford Army Reserve Centre, sailors from Devonport Naval Base and Royal Marines from Stonehouse Barracks mustered outside the Mead’s house to help the covert operation of dropping poppies through neighbours’ letter boxes and decorated the street and school late into the evening.
Petty Officer Sean Keetley, a Royal Navy sailor from HMS Drake, said:
“We had a notice at work about Maisie’s mission and I jumped at the chance to come and support her. It’s so important to remember those who have lost their lives in conflict but also those serving in the Armed Forces today, and it’s particularly special to see this awareness raising initiative come from someone so young.
Minister for Defence People and Veterans, Johnny Mercer MP, said:
“Maisie and Harry will inspire thousands with their ingenious idea, and the Armed Forces are honoured to help make it a reality. I’m really proud that Armed Forces personnel have once again stepped up to show their support for The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. It’s great to see the people of Plymouth joining forces with service personnel to support the Poppy Appeal, which benefits so many deserving veterans.”
Bobby the pony from the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Riding School in Bickleigh also made an appearance, parading around the playing-field to the delight of the Maisie’s classmates. As a special thank you the riding school have kindly donated five riding lessons to Maisie to fulfil her dream of learning to ride.
Victoria said:
“Maisie wants to get people to remember our Armed Forces past, present and future. It is important to her that people remember, and she is passionate about helping children understand what it means to remember.
“Her love for her father is at the centre of this. Every Remembrance Day she stands tall with us as a family and squeezes our hands as we gently cry together. She and Harry are our strength.”
