Poppy Mania …. it’s all happening here!

It’s been a while … and soooooo much has been happening.

The exciting news is we have passed the 100,000 mark … on Monday we counted 23,414 poppies taking us to a total of 114,530 … we now think we will have in excess of 150,000 gorgeous handmade poppies to show off to the world … we are AWESOME ….

So we have asked now for people to down tools and start sending their precious poppies to us … especially those with large quantities.  We really need to have an idea of what we are working with so we can plan accordingly.  For those who have just joined us … we will still be collecting up until the mid-March deadline … but would love larger quantities sooner rather than later.

We are still fundraising … and so incredibly grateful for the helping hand from all those poppy friends out there who have donated small and large amounts … every cent will go towards the display …

As we count down to Anzac Day … there is much work to be done and we are feverishly looking for a suitable space to act as a workshop … this is our most urgent need … we need a space from NOW until the end of April.  Specifically, we need somewhere relatively close to the city on the eastern side … Richmond, South Yarra, Prahran, Malvern, Glen Iris etc.  big enough for us to set up two big worktables, and house somewhere in the vicinity of 20 people at a time, along with all our boxes (around 80 boxes at this stage).  We want to be able to set up our work and leave it up with access seven days a week … so obviously we need it to be secure, with power for a cup of tea, and good lighting for us to work in.  No rent or nominal rent would be a huge bonus of course.  Can you help?  A hall, a shopfront, a warehouse … somewhere around 50 to 100 sqm close to public transport (for those who don’t drive).  Not asking for too much here!!!!!!!

Once we have settled in to our new premises we will need volunteers … many and regular … we expect the display will take many man hours to complete and we will be asking for help from just about everyone we know to help pull it together over what remains of February, March and into April.  We hope to have it complete by the first or second week in April to give us time to catch our breath before the next stage. It’s so close now I can taste it!

What a journey this project has been, and Marg and I as always are humbled by your commitment, your contribution … large and small … and we are beyond thrilled to have been part of such an amazing undertaking.

I should also make mention here that the Peninsula Ladies are organising a wonderful Poppy Luncheon at The Briars in Mt Martha on Friday 13 March with all funds raised going towards the project … it will be a wonderful social afternoon … from midday til 2.00 p.m.  Contact Carol Copp on 0411405597 for more information … tickets are selling fast at $30.00 each … Marg and I will be there … I think perhaps one of us might say a few words about the project as well … but mostly it will be an opportunity for us to meet without needles or crochet hooks in hand.  It will be fun.

Wooooohooooo!!!!!!