Former troops help with Poppy Appeal in Birmingham Ex-servicemen and women have been out on the streets of Birmingham for a dedicated day of Poppy Appeal events. Volunteers, often accompanied by military bands, have been at railway stations, hospitals and the airport. The money raised will go towards helping people like Kerry Ford, the wife of an Army veteran who suffered a brain tumour. Ex-serviceman Andy Gollop, who helps others in his position, has already benefited from money raised by the appeal after he suffered post-traumatic stress and began drinking and self-harming.