By Georgia Burns

Copyright dailyrecord

Chart-topping singer-songwriter Cammy Barnes , who appeared on season 16 of Britain’s Got Talent , helped mark a major milestone for this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal as 2.1 million poppies began their journey across Scotland this week. The occasion marks Poppyscotland’s annual ‘National Uplift’, which is the start of Scotland’s largest fundraising campaign in the lead-up to Remembrance Sunday on November 9. The 32-year-old, who is currently riding high in the Top 40 with his hit single Whiskey Roll, performed hits Tiree Sun and Caledonia for staff at Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory in Edinburgh , as well as his latest top charting hit. It is not the first time the Fife-born musician has lent his voice to the cause – in May, he took part in a special VE Day commemoration concert at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall alongside Royal British Legion Scotland, marking 80 years since the end of the Second World War. With multiple singles charting in the UK Top 20 and several number one entries on the Singer-Songwriter and Country/Alt iTunes charts, Cammy said he was honoured to play a part in this year’s appeal and urged the public to get behind the campaign and go the extra mile this year in their fundraising efforts. Speaking about his time at the factory, Cammy said: “It was a pleasure to be at Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory today to witness the 2.1 million iconic four-petalled Scottish poppies being loaded on to the lorry and begin their journey. It’s a momentous occasion for Poppyscotland that marks the start of what, I have no doubt, will be another hugely successful appeal.” “The poppy is our national symbol of Remembrance, and I urge people across Scotland to donate to the charity and wear their poppy with pride and show the Armed Forces community that their service is appreciated,” he concluded. Richard Todd, National Poppy Appeal Manager for Scotland, also praised the work of the veterans who prepared the poppies. He said:” The national uplift marks the culmination of a year of hard work by our veterans at Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory and means our biggest fundraiser is just around the corner.” “Every single penny raised helps us to continue our vital work supporting the Armed Forces community by providing mental health support, financial support, and the other essential welfare services that make a life-changing difference to those who have given so much for all of us.” The Poppy Factory in Edinburgh, which employs 36 Armed Forces veterans with a range of disabilities, was established in 1926 by Lady Haig, wife of Field Marshall Earl Haig. Now nearly a century later, the team of disabled and vulnerable ex- service men and women continues to produce tens of thousands of wreaths, long-stem poppies and other Remembrance symbols each year.