How to join in on a doorstep two-minute silence on Remembrance Sunday - and other ways to observe the event

Remembrance Sunday (8 November) this year is set to be a very different occasion, as so many services have been cancelled, or strictly limited on numbers.

Thankfully there are still plenty of ways you can take part.

Claire Rowcliffe, director of fundraising for the Royal British Legion, said: “In a year where our homes and streets have developed new meaning for us all, and with many people not able to donate in their usual way, we are bringing the Poppy Appeal 2020 right to the hearts of individuals.”

Here are 6 ways you can mark the occasion in a Covid-secure manner.

Two minute’s silence

Of course, you don’t need to be at a public event to take part in the traditional two minutes silence at 11am on Remembrance Sunday.

The idea is that it can be observed anywhere. Simply put down whatever you’re doing and spend a couple of minutes thinking about the great sacrifices so many made in the past, so that we might have our freedoms in the present.

All this week, JPI Media titles across the country have been urging readers to partake in the Stand Out For Heroes campaign, a two minute doorstep silence to ensure we still remember in 2020 even if we cannot join together in Acts of Remembrance.

Display a poppy poster

As we’ve all been spending a lot more time in our homes this year, our windows have become important forms of communication.

Whether that was showing our support for the NHS earlier in the pandemic with rainbow designs, or getting into the Halloween spirit with a proudly displayed pumpkin, the Poppy Appeal is also asking the public to utilise their double glazing this Remembrance Sunday.

To ensure that everyone can still get their poppy, the Poppy Appeal has developed an A4 poster of the iconic Remembrance Poppy that you can download, print, and display at home.

You can download a full colour poster or one that you can enjoy colouring in from the Appeal’s website.

JPIMedia has also published a special Poppy Poster, backed by the Royal British Legion, which we encourage people to display in their windows, or to hold, as they stand on their doorsteps to observe a two-minute silence at 11am on Remembrance Sunday.

Download the PDF at this link

(Image: JPI Media)

And we urge everyone this weekend to show their support for Remembrance Sunday by buying a poppy if they are able, or by making a donation to the Royal British Legion.

You could even hold your poster as you stand on your doorstep to observe the two minute silence at 11am on Remembrance Sunday.

Complete a ‘Poppy Run’

The Poppy Appeal’s park run events usually take place in October and November, but were unable to take place this year due to social distancing measures.

Instead, organisers are urging would-be runners to take part in ‘My Poppy Run’, a virtual version of the event.

Between now and 30 November, pick your distance to run, jog or walk; you could run in a park after work, around town during the weekend, or on a treadmill in the morning.

The cut off for registrations to receive a branded medal and t-shirt has unfortunately passed, but you could still set up a Just Giving page and ask friends and family to sponsor you so you can reach your fundraising target.

For more information on My Poppy Run, head to the Poppy Appeal’s website

Take part in ‘Poppies in the Post’

Every year, volunteers distribute over 40 million poppies, but to Covid-19, many are unable to help in 2020.

So the Poppy Appeal is calling on kind supporters to help distribute poppies to friends and neighbours so that they can continue to support the Armed Forces community.

You can request 20 poppies free of charge by completing this form on the Appeal’s website, which you can then give to friends and family in exchange for a donation.

Unfortunately, the last date for orders is 6 November, and it can’t be guaranteed that orders placed then will arrive before Remembrance Sunday.

Complete the 11/11 Challenge

(Photo: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)

The British Legion suggests supporters take part in a challenge focused around the number 11 (World War I finished at the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918), within a safe environment and with minimal resources.

"There is something for everyone,” it says, “from baking 11 cupcakes to running upstairs, knit 11 poppies for 11 friends – the choices are endless!”

Send off for a free fundraising pack here; it may be too late for physical packs to reach you in time for 8 November, but you will receive a digital pack instantly.

Buy a poppy

Of course, the simplest thing you could do is to buy yourself a poppy, or make a donation to the Royal British Legion.

Ms Rowcliffe said that the Royal British Legion’s “work is now more vital than ever.”

"Every poppy makes a difference to the lives of our Armed Forces community - while you may have to do something different to support the Poppy Appeal this year every poppy counts.”

The online Poppy Shop has an extensive range of products from poppy pins and jewellery, to clothing, stationery, homeware, and everything in between.

100 per cent of profits go towards funding the ongoing work in supporting the Armed Forces community, serving and ex-serving personnel and their families.

A version of this article originally appeared on our sister title, The News