Poppy Express, USA News (Bridlington, East Yorkshire): An Army veteran and his wife are on track to raise more money than ever for the Poppy Appeal. Legendary founders of the Poppy Express, Denis and Barbara Scaife, are taking on their biggest poppy-selling challenge to date. The couple, from Bridlington in East Yorkshire, raised a huge £37,000 last year for the Royal British Legion by travelling up and down the East Coast Main Line over 48 hours and selling poppies to passengers.
This year, over two days, they are travelling even further, covering around 1,000 miles from Hull to London, to Stirling in Scotland, and back through Edinburgh and then London to Retford. They are selling poppies to passengers throughout these journeys, marking the first time in the Poppy Express’s history that it will raise money on the West Coast, not just the East Coast. It is now the 11th year that the couple have been selling poppies to passengers aboard Hull Trains.
Mr Scaife, 76-year-old former Royal Engineer Denis Scaife, hopes to raise even more money for the Royal British Legion. He outlined the route, explaining that after reaching London King’s Cross, they walk across to London Euston station and catch a Lumo train on the west coast side of the country through the Lake District up to Stirling for an overnight rest. The following morning, they travel on ScotRail to Edinburgh, head down the East Coast Lumo train service to London King’s Cross, and return to Retford on Hull Trains to complete the circle.
A former Non-Commissioned Officer with the Corps of Royal Engineers and later a police sergeant, Mr Scaife’s dedication to the Poppy Express remains strong despite major health problems this year. Having started his military journey at age 16 with the Army Apprentice College at Chepstow, his service history includes Longmoor, Chatham, and with the British Army in the Rhine in Nuremberg and Bergen-Belsen. Mrs Scaife noted that the theme of this year’s Poppy Appeal supports families, emphasizing the vital role of serving personnel, veterans, and their relatives.
Rail representatives have voiced strong support for the couple. Richard Salkeld, Head of Communications and Partnerships for Lumo and Hull Trains, joined them on the first leg, highlighting their resilience and the genuine warmth from customers. Nathan Rayne, Head of Driver Operations at Hull Trains, also commended their efforts following last year’s £37,000 total. The Royal British Legion remains the UK’s largest Armed Forces charity, providing financial advice, legal guidance, recovery services, and care homes.
