Toni Pérez advocates for "the coexistence of peoples without distinction of creeds, borders or languages"
The Royal British Legion celebrates the 'Poppy Appeal' in Benidorm
Today Benidorm has hosted the events of the 'Poppy Appeal' organized every year by the Royal British Legion. A day in which, with the sale of poppies, money is collected to help former British soldiers and their families who had fought in the war conflicts after the First World War
Shortly before 1:00 p.m., on Avenida de Castellón, the traditional parade of flags began, accompanied by the 'Torrevieja Pipes and Drums', which added color and melody to a day dedicated to remembrance. The mayor of Benidorm, Toni Pérez, participated in the event along with the president of the Council of Members of the Legion, John Boisson; the military attaché of the British Embassy, Captain Stephen McGlory; the vice-consul of the United Kingdom in Alicante, Sara Munsterhjelme; Legion representatives Bob Chambers and Nicholas Keen; and the Anglican priest, Richard Seabrook.
The march ended in Ricón de Loix, on Avenida de l'Atmella de Mar. There, the tribute ceremony was held in which the banner of the Madrid Group was officially welcomed, which would join the upcoming events and celebrations and which included the intervention of Toni Pérez who welcomed the attendees and highlighted the “ties of extraordinary friendship” that unite the Spanish and British peoples.
The mayor highlighted the poppies that all attendees wore as the “symbol of sacrifice” with which to “honor the fallen and support those who have loyally served their flag and their country” and has claimed Benidorm as the “field of remembrance where red poppies of hope sprout, pinned to the breast; “closest to the heart.”
Toni Pérez recalled the “need to sow peace in our days”, in the face of the conflicts that the world is experiencing today and has advocated for “the coexistence of peoples without distinction of creeds, borders or languages”.
After the official speeches, the national anthems of Spain and the United Kingdom were played and the banners made the final march, after which they broke ranks and the event came to an end.
The Royal British Legion is a non-profit organization that, with the celebration of the 'Poppy Appeal', distributes 25 million fabric poppies. It has more than 700,000 members around the world, of which there are about 4,000 in Spain and more than a thousand in the province.
