Poppy Power!

This Sunday is remembrance Sunday, and now more than ever I think it's important to remember the people that died defending our rights and freedoms and those of others who they'd never even met.

There are people who would use defending us as a reason to gradually erode our civil liberties and impose restrictions on our personal freedoms in the name of protection. I wear a Poppy to remember that personal freedom is still worth fighting for, whatever the cost, as not to do so would be a betrayal of everything my Grandfather and the others of his generation who DIDN'T come home were fighting for.

Having said that, they can be a complete pain to keep attached to your coat! Years of pin pricks, wandering round wearing just a naked green stalk, soggy wilted poppies in the rain and poppies that just randomly disappear has made me wish for a more permanent way to demonstrate my support for this important cause.




Alex Monroe, winner of the Designer of the Year award at the UK Jewellery Awards 2008, has designed this beautiful 18 carat red and yellow gold Poppy brooch, featuring 11 black diamonds. The brooch is a one off design and has been modelled by Danni Minogue, Geri Halliwell and Pixie Geldof at various functions.








Theo Fennel has also designed a beautiful 18k white and rose gold Poppy brooch with delicate poppy engraving, embellished with black diamonds and pink sapphires, as modelled by Helen Mirren.

Both of these beautiful one off pieces of jewellery can be yours as they are being auctioned off by sealed bids on the Royal British Legion Website. £1 from each bid placed goes to the Poppy Appeal and the auction closes on the 5th November, so you'll have to be quick!



If the estimated value of around £6500 is far too rich for you, then why not try your luck on a lowest unique bid auction?



You could win this beautiful Swarovski crystal Poppy, designed by Anglo-Russian jewellery designer Kleshna. Each bid costs £5, but with an estimate value of £2000 you could still grab yourself a bargain for a good cause. It was worn by Olga Kurylenko at the Quantum of Solace premiere.


For permanent freedom from pin pricks and soggy Poppies it's got to be worth a try surely?