Purple poppies commemorate animal sacrifice

Mark Brammar News

Businesses in Leek and Cheadle are selling purple poppies this year to commemorate the millions of animals that have been killed in conflicts worldwide.

Anne Griffin, owner of Cross Street Pet Stores in Cheadle, has supported the charity Animal Aid, which fights animal abuse and injustice, by selling hand-made purple poppies leading up to Remembrance Day, for several years.

Anne said: “I originally got involved when Animal Aid produced purple poppies years ago. When they stopped I decided to make my own and sell them to support the great work of the charity.”

Now Anne produces over 100 crocheted poppies, whilst her father, Arthur Poyser, founder of the business, produces artificial silk purple poppies.

This year they have been joined in the selling of the poppies by their accountants, Leek based LSGK Accountants Ltd and by Smithfield News in Leek, who are also clients of LSGK.

Director of LSGK Accountants Jed Eatough added: “When Anne told us of her purple poppy sales we thought it would be great to support her appeal alongside the sale of the British Legion poppies. Kevin and Rachel Bourne from Smithfield News found out about the appeal and they too decided to get involved.”

Photo: Anne Griffin (centre) of Cross Street Pets with from left: Arthur Poyser, Lezley Williams of LSGK, Jed Eatough and Rachel Bourne of Smithfield News