Tower of London Poppies

[Skyline]

A magnificent and humbling sight.
I went wife my wife and her friend during the day about 2 weeks ago. Trying to get onto and over Tower Bridge by foot was an experience.
Since then my father in-law is in hospital up London so we went to see the Poppies at night on our way home. Then her sister came with us the other day so we went at night to show her.
That's 3 times I've seen it and each time it was packed. The last time was Monday and it was mobbed at 8.30pm.

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Is it correct (or rubbish) that only £2.50 of each £25 poppy goes between 6 charities? If so where does the rest go? Sounds like a Simon Cowell plan to me

 

[jonneymendoza]

I went on Monday and Friday

 

[Yv]

A magnificent and humbling sight.
I went wife my wife and her friend during the day about 2 weeks ago. Trying to get onto and over Tower Bridge by foot was an experience.
Since then my father in-law is in hospital up London so we went to see the Poppies at night on our way home. Then her sister came with us the other day so we went at night to show her.
That's 3 times I've seen it and each time it was packed. The last time was Monday and it was mobbed at 8.30pm.

-------

Is it correct (or rubbish) that only £2.50 of each £25 poppy goes between 6 charities? If so where does the rest go? Sounds like a Simon Cowell plan to me

Its true it is only a few pounds [have seen anything from £2 to £8 quoted], but bear in mind it was an art installation, so someone is making money, including the artist that designed it and the businessman that invested a massive amount to get it off the ground. Add in manufacturing costs and admin, etc and it soon adds up. Here is the BUT though. I read yesterday that the charities cut from the sale of poppies was £15m! Thats is about 2.5 million each, money they certainly wouldn't have got otherwise. On top of that, all money sent as 'virtual' dedications, ie, those just donating money online, not actually buying a ceramic poppy is, bar the JustGiving admin charge, being split between the 6 charities - none of that goes to the business side of this venture. I haven't yet seen any figures for that, but however much it is, it is more for the charities. Finally, 4 of those charities in particular got something invaluable - awareness & publicity!! Lets face it, we have all heard of the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes, but I bet very few of us knew about The Confederation of Service Charities, SSAFA, Coming Home or Combat Stress unless you have been involved in the forces or family have.

 

[Skyline]

Its true it is only a few pounds [have seen anything from £2 to £8 quoted], but bear in mind it was an art installation, so someone is making money, including the artist that designed it and the businessman that invested a massive amount to get it off the ground. Add in manufacturing costs and admin, etc and it soon adds up. Here is the BUT though. I read yesterday that the charities cut from the sale of poppies was £15m! Thats is about 2.5 million each, money they certainly wouldn't have got otherwise. On top of that, all money sent as 'virtual' dedications, ie, those just donating money online, not actually buying a ceramic poppy is, bar the JustGiving admin charge, being split between the 6 charities - none of that goes to the business side of this venture. I haven't yet seen any figures for that, but however much it is, it is more for the charities. Finally, 4 of those charities in particular got something invaluable - awareness & publicity!! Lets face it, we have all heard of the Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes, but I bet very few of us knew about The Confederation of Service Charities, SSAFA, Coming Home or Combat Stress unless you have been involved in the forces or family have.

When you see the other side of the coin it doesn't sound so bad does it

 

[Yv]

When you see the other side of the coin it doesn't sound so bad does it

Nope, not so bad. My only real objection is the fact no official figures seem to have been released, which I think would kill a lot of the reaction. Like I say I read yesterday £15m, other places have said 10, and we already know about the speculation about how much from each poppy. I just read in one article that the accounting books won't close until march on this, so I guess full figures will be available then, but some kind of interim idea would help people understand how much this has helped the charities, regardless of the business involved too. At the moment it all seems to be journalistic speculation, which will be under or over exaggerated depending on the nature of the article, very irritating. However, the bottom line is 6 charities have benefitted hugely both in monetary terms, money they would not have raised otherwise and in awareness & publicity and that is the important thing.