Brief
Six‑year‑old Ivy Knighton‑Leake launches 2026 Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal
The launch highlighted armed‑forces families and aims to raise over £50 million.
By Felo News Desk · Published
The Royal British Legion’s 2026 Poppy Appeal was launched on Thursday morning in Manchester by six‑year‑old Ivy Knighton‑Leake of Bradford, according to the Standard.
What happened
Ivy received a special poppy crafted from metal recovered from World War II Spitfires. The poppy was presented by Private Katie Brazier, 22, of the Royal Anglian Regiment. Representatives from the Royal Navy, Army and RAF will deliver three additional specially created poppies to forces families in North Wales, Shropshire and London later on Thursday.
What the reports add
The Standard notes that Ivy is one of the country’s youngest Poppy Appeal collectors and works alongside her father, Steve Knighton, a former Royal Signals soldier who left the service after six years. The appeal this year focuses on the challenges faced by armed‑forces families and aims to raise more than £50 million for serving personnel, veterans and their families.
What was said
Steve Knighton told the Standard, “Ivy got herself involved. I showed her that I was going to be collecting and she saw the stalls a couple of years ago and she said ‘can I join you, can I have a poppy shop?’ As an ex‑serviceperson it’s really important to me and I also benefitted from the services of the British Legion when I first left the military, so I feel like I owe a debt to them and I’m paying it back.”
Ivy’s mother, Kimberley Leake, added, “It’s so important to me: I had a father and grandfathers who served in the military and (it is) keeping that connection alive for the younger generation to know how important the appeal is.”
Private Brazier said meeting Ivy was “incredible” and an “absolute privilege.” Actress Dame Joanna Lumley, a supporter of the appeal, said, “Wearing a poppy is such a simple thing to do, but it means an enormous amount to those who serve, to veterans and, of course, to their families.” Poppy Appeal director Lucy Inskip said the campaign is highlighting that “when someone serves, their family serves too.”
Key facts
- Ivy Knighton‑Leake, age six, launched the 2026 Poppy Appeal in Manchester. (standard.co.uk)
- She received a poppy made from metal recovered from World War II Spitfires. (standard.co.uk)
- The appeal aims to raise more than £50 million for serving personnel, veterans and families. (standard.co.uk)
- Private Katie Brazier of the Royal Anglian Regiment presented the poppy. (standard.co.uk)
- Representatives will deliver three more special poppies to forces families in North Wales, Shropshire and London. (standard.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] standard.co.uk — originally reported as “Poppy Appeal launched by six-year-old fundraiser”
