A charity has issued its annual appeal encouraging the public to wear purple poppies this Remembrance Day.

Murphy’s Army, the charity responsible for dressing Featherstone’s War Horse in a purple poppy coat last year, raises funds for animal charities through the sale of its purple poppy merchandise.

The purple poppy commemorates animals who have served alongside humans in times of war, and raises awareness of service animals working today.

This year, money raised from the sale of its purple poppies will go towards three animal charities: Bransby Horses, Service Dogs UK and Tired Paws Foundation.

Murphy's Army, which dressed Featherstone's War Horse in a coat of 4,000 purple poppies last year, has launched its annual poppy appeal. Picture: Catherine Gannon

placeholder image — Murphy's Army, which dressed Featherstone's War Horse in a coat of 4,000 purple poppies last year, has launched its annual poppy appeal. Picture: Catherine Gannon

A spokesperson from the charity said: “The purple poppy is a symbol of compassion, respect and remembrance.

“It honours the animals who gave their strength, loyalty and lives in service, and those who continue to stand faithfully beside us today.”

Last year, the War Horse statue, a World War I memorial in Featherstone, was dressed in a purple poppy coat made of some 4,000 crocheted poppies handmade by Murphy’s Army volunteers.

353 red poppies were also included in the coat to commemorate the Featherstone soldiers who died in World War I.

The poppies were collected by Murphy’s Army founder, Bev Alderson, who sewed each one onto the coat.

The event was attended by members of the public, Murphy’s Army volunteers, Featherstone town councillors, the Mayor of Featherstone, and representatives from both West Yorkshire Police and the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (KOYLI).

More information about the purple poppy appeal and Murphy’s Army can be found at: https://theyalsoserved.org/