That this House commends Highland resident Wendy Sylvester on undertaking her North to South for Poppyscotland challenge, a 340-mile walk across Scotland in aid of the forces charity Poppyscotland; notes that the walk will begin at Cape Wrath lighthouse in late October 2025 and concludes at the Scottish border on 29 November 2025, taking in some of Scotland’s most iconic routes, including the Great Glen Way and the West Highland Way; further notes that Wendy will complete the five-week trek entirely self-funded, relying on the generosity of local people, friends and businesses along the route; recognises her deep personal connection to the armed forces through her own service as a combat medic with 7 Scots and her family’s military background; commends her previous fundraising effort in 2021, when she raised over £5,000 for Poppyscotland by walking from Dunnottar Castle to Eilean Donan Castle; acknowledges the vital work of Poppyscotland in providing financial, employment, housing and mental health support to veterans, serving personnel and their families; and wishes Wendy every success in her inspiring journey to support Scotland’s armed forces community.

That this House commends Highland resident Wendy Sylvester on undertaking her North to South for Poppyscotland challenge, a 340-mile walk across Scotland in aid of the forces charity Poppyscotland; notes that the walk will begin at Cape Wrath lighthouse in late October 2025 and concludes at the Scottish border on...

That this House is disappointed that the Poppyscotland Welfare Centre in Kilmarnock is to close and pays tribute to the vital work undertaken by the staff since the premises opened to the public in 2018; appreciates that covid-19 has had an impact on the centre’s ability to operate; further notes the pressure on finances and that the LIBOR funding awarded was only for a three year period, and that the UK Government need to provide more sustainable long term funding for such initiatives; further that this will create another empty unit in Kilmarnock town centre; welcomes that all staff are being retained to continue their valuable support services for veterans; notes that Poppyscotland have highlighted that since 2016 the charity has seen a 20 per cent increase in people needing support with housing, financial issues, mental health and well-being and mobility meaning that easy access to support services is more important than ever; thanks and recognises the vital work that Poppyscotland and the Royal British legion does to support veterans while acknowledging that in an ideal world veterans would not require to rely on such support, and in the meantime hopes that Poppyscotland and the Royal British Legion continue to flourish and once again conveys thanks to the staff who were based at the Kilmarnock Welfare centre and wishes them all the best in their endeavours going forward providing lifeline support services to veterans.

That this House is disappointed that the Poppyscotland Welfare Centre in Kilmarnock is to close and pays tribute to the vital work undertaken by the staff since the premises opened to the public in 2018; appreciates that covid-19 has had an impact on the centre’s ability to operate; further notes...