Bim Afolami MP, the Member of Parliament for Hitchin & Harpenden, has stepped in to back poppy sellers after he learned that volunteers for the Royal British Legion had been told that they couldn’t use their contactless card machines to raise money at Harpenden Station.
Concerned constituents told Mr Afolami that they had been unable to purchase a poppy at the Station as they didn’t have cash on them, leading to a lower return for this fantastic cause than would have been expected. The Member of Parliament contacted Thameslink immediately to ask that this policy be changed – so that the Royal British Legion can use their card machines at Stations ahead of Remembrance Sunday.
GTR said the policy of allowing only bucket cash collections had been brought in some years earlier, when card collections were relatively new and there were complaints from customers giving to a small charity that they had been charged more than they were expecting.
Following Mr Afolami’s intervention, Thameslink have confirmed that they have changed their policy to allow poppy sellers to use contactless card machines at their stations.
A GTR spokesperson said,
"We always value feedback and are glad we have been able to work in partnership with Bim to make this positive change, recognising that fewer people now carry cash and prefer the convenience of paying by card.
"We really want to help the charities that work in our communities and every year make arrangements for the Royal British Legion to collect on our station concourses. We've also arranged for free travel to and from services of remembrance for serving military personnel and veterans this Sunday."
Bim Afolami MP said,
“I am delighted that Thameslink have agreed to allow poppy sellers to use contactless card machines at their stations. The Royal British Legion do some fantastic work looking after veterans and their families and it is absolutely right that we should make it as easy as possible for them to raise money. I know that lots of local commuters will show their support for those who have served to protect our nation and its freedoms as we approach Remembrance Sunday.”
