AN EAST Lothian woman has put her creative talents to good use to help raise funds for the Scottish Poppy Appeal, after being inspired by her grandfather as a child.
Mum-of-two Emma Drummond, 39, who is originally from Prestonpans but now lives in the Goosegreen area of Musselburgh, makes poppies from epoxy resin which she gifts in aid of charity Poppyscotland, which supports armed forces personnel and their families.
She also distributes her poppies, with an accompanying note, around towns and villages in East Lothian so that they can be found by local people who can wear them annually in remembrance of those who gave their lives in war.
Emma, of Em’s Resin Creations, donated poppy pins to Musselburgh & District Veterans Group and also donated 200 to a fundraising initiative organised by William Morrison, a member of the veterans group. They are on sale in the petrol station at the Musselburgh Tesco store.
Emma said that her late grandfather Thomas Peters, chairman of Prestonpans Royal British Legion from 1980 to 1983, used to visit her former school – Prestonpans Primary School – with poppies. Her late great uncle George Bruce was also president of Prestonpans Royal British Legion.
“As a child, I was in awe of what he was doing as we were taught what the poppy represented,” she said.
“I’ve donated every year since I was a child and have always been proud to wear a poppy.”
READ MORE: East Lothian Remembrance events 2023: details of commemorations
Emma added: “I’ve been using epoxy resin for a couple of years now and recently found the mould for the poppy. I made garden poppies which I put on a few family graves in Prestonpans Cemetery. I got the mould for the pins and had my lightbulb moment. I felt this was a good way to give back.
“I started by gifting 100 by leaving them on benches, inside plant pots and near war memorials for people to find in Prestonpans, Tranent, Musselburgh and Wallyford. I also attended the indoor markets at the Hollies Community Hub in Musselburgh. I thought that, as the veterans met there, it would be fitting to gift them all a poppy pin. I wanted to make people smile.”
She believes she has gifted 400 so far to veterans, Mr Morrison’s fundraising initiative, Prestonpans Royal British Legion and her “random acts of kindness” around the county.
Mr Morrison, a member of the Musselburgh & District Veterans Group, said: “Emma is an amazing young lady. We have been so grateful for her donation of items to our veterans club and the Poppy Appeal.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here