The 2026 Poppy Appeal was officially launched at Government House yesterday with the first sale to Andrew Murdoch, the Governor.

He received his poppy from retired Royal Bermuda Regiment Sergeant Major Arnold E Allen while Jeffrey Borges, Commissioner of St John Ambulance, looked on.

This year the proceeds are going to the ambulance service for the first time after the Bermuda Legion was no longer registered as a charity. It was first registered in 2007, but has not been since 2024.

Mr Murdoch said: “I think this year is a bit of a one-off with the funds going to St John Ambulance, which I think is fantastic, then I think next year it will go back to the Bermuda Legion.

“But it is good that it is going to St John Ambulance where I am patron, and these are all fantastic causes.

“Remembrance Day is important for us to remember that period when many people gave their service in Bermuda over many years in the First World War and Second World War.

“You can see the pictures of that all along the walls of Government House and it is important to recognise all of that, as well as those currently serving and what they do for us.”

Mr Murdoch has his own experiences from war zones.

He recalled: “I was a commander in the Royal Navy. I was in Iraq during my time and in the former Yugoslavia conflict and had a working relationship in operations in Afghanistan.”

Poppies will be available on Monday and Tuesday with street sales and Mr Murdoch urged people to “pop in for a poppy” at the former Clarien Bank site in Reid Street which is acting as headquarters for purchases.

He added: “It will be staffed during business hours so people can purchase a poppy then and they should also look out for people in the streets with tins.”