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It was raining cats and dogs when the Women’s Section of the Warkworth RSA hosted a Purple Poppy Day luncheon and fundraiser on Saturday, February 28.
Unlike the red Anzac Day poppy, which remembers those who died in war or are serving in the armed services, purple poppies recognise the role that animals have played in conflicts around the world.
This includes mainly horses and dogs, but also cats, donkeys, camels, monkeys, lizards, pigs, goats and birds – even glow worms, which were used as a light source in World War I.
Warkworth Women’s Section president Joss Myers said the group raised about $2500 on the day.
The money will go to the New Zealand Service Animals and Memorials Welfare Fund, which was established by Women’s Section national president Diane Wilson in 2019, who attended the Warkworth event this year.
“It will help in the rehabilitation of service animals and memorials for them,” Myers said.
“We’re also honouring the animals that died in overseas conflicts, like the thousands of New Zealand horses that were in World War I, of which only four made it home. That’s what the Purple Poppy is all about.”
More than 100 people attended the event including RSA Women’s Sections members from around NZ.
Also present was police dog handler Senior Sergeant Peter Pedersen, accompanied by his dog.
A wreath symbolising the memory, sacrifice, and bravery of NZ war animals was laid inside the RSA, as Warkworth RSA president Geoff Copestake recited a special ode for the service. Plans to lay the wreath at the cenotaph were cancelled due to the rain.
The RSA will host Purple Poppy Day next year on February 27.
