Governor George Fergusson and Premier Michael Dunkley sold poppies on the streets of Hamilton today to raise funds for military veterans.

Mr Fergusson was distributing the blooms — worn to commemorate the sacrifices of the Armed Forces and to show support to those still serving today and their loved ones — outside HSBC on Reid Street.

He has volunteered to help the appeal every year since his appointment.

“It’s a very good cause and people support it very generously,” Mr Fergusson said. “I am pleased to play a small part in the fundraising.”

The 100th anniversary of the start of World War I adds extra poignancy to this year’s appeal, the Governor added.

“It’s worth remembering the 80 people from Bermuda who died in that war with family connections all over the Island, many of them visible in war memorials, churches and elsewhere.”

Mr Dunkley, also Minister of National Security, was selling poppies outside the Government Administration Building on Parliament Street, with Senator Jeff Baron.

“I’m doing this because I care and it’s important to support those have contributed so much to our society,” the Premier said.

“No matter how busy I am, I’m certainly going to take some time out of my schedule to support those who did so much and supported us.”

An army of Bermuda Regiment soldiers also took to the streets of Hamilton to sell poppies.

Lance Corporal Chris Matvey, 27, a full-time soldier, said: “I’m mostly the runner today to help out everybody and make sure they have plenty of poppies and replace full collecting tins.

“People have been very generous – I’ve had to change a lot of tins.

“It helps to raise money for veterans and support them medically and financially, and it’s good to see the community coming out in droves to support this.”

Regiment Captain Mark Lavery, who works for financial services firm KPMG, set up outside Hamilton Pharmacy on Parliament Street.

“It’s been good, there’s been lots of very positive people coming by,” he said. “Everybody says I need a bigger collecting tin for all the money.

“It’s very important to support veterans who gave so much of themselves in World War II and increasingly it’s about remembering all the people who have given service.

“This is my way of connecting in as a serving soldier to help preserve their memory.”

Captain Clifford Powell, Aide-de-Camp to Mr Fergusson, said: “If it wasn’t for those who fought in World War I and World War II, the world wouldn’t be what it is today.

“They sacrificed so much, so sacrificing a little bit of time to sell poppies is the least we can do.”

For more information about the Bermuda Regiment, call 238-1045 or visit www.bermudaregiment.bm