TEENAGERS MAKE A HIT WITH THE POPPY APPEAL (Eastleigh Liberal Democrats)

Eastleigh Liberal Democrats <enquiries@eastleighlibdems.org.uk>

TEENAGERS MAKE A HIT WITH THE POPPY APPEAL

November 10, 2009 1:14 PM

Chris with the two local teenagers who helped sell poppies at Asda Two Eastleigh teenagers were particularly successful poppy appeal collectors when they joined Eastleigh MP Chris Huhne in a day of activities across the borough.

Shane Andrews and Imogen Yalvac, both aged 15, started at 8 on a busy day shadowing Chris Huhne's activities across Eastleigh, including volunteering for the poppy appeal in Chandler's Ford, launching the Park and Stride scheme at Kings Copse primary school and supporting the Respect for Shopworkers campaign in Hedge End.

Shane and Imogen both helped Chris for a couple of hours collecting contributions for the Royal British Legion's poppy appeal, and organisers said that the two teenagers had been remarkably successful in bringing out shoppers' generosity.

Shane Andrews, aged 15, of Quilley School of Engineering, said: "I really enjoyed the day shadowing Chris Huhne. I was surprised that Chris helps out with the poppy appeal every year, and that was an experience!

"Most people are really friendly and generous, but some of the excuses are just lame. I particularly remember the man who arrived at ASDA and said he hadn't brought his wallet. Maybe it was Sid the Shoplifter."

Imogen Yalvac, aged 15, said: "I liked going with Chris to the Kings Copse primary school Park and Stride scheme, which aims to get kids to walk at least the last part of the way to school. I really liked the school which is very open, light and airy".

Imogen and Shane were even questioned by a Police Community Support Officer during their lunchbreak, as he thought they might be playing truant. Chris Huhne said: "I'm glad Shane and Imogen were able to reassure him!"

"It was a pleasure having Imogen and Shane shadow me for the day and finding out a bit about the life of an MP. They went everywhere with me for the day except for private meetings with constituents at surgery, but even then they were a great help in the MP's office."