Bostin’ poppy pins to show support for Royal British Legion

Black Country T Shirts, based in Castle Street, Dudley, promotes Black Country culture through its range of memorabilia and gifts.

During the coronavirus pandemic, the business began creating its own face masks – featuring greetings in Black Country ‘spake’, famous faces and the iconic Black Country flag.

But now, the business has turned to creating Black Country Poppy pin badges – and has released them earlier than planned after it was announced various Remembrance Sunday parades and services in the region were being scaled down, and even cancelled, amid the pandemic.

Stephen Pitts, business owner, said: “Without a lot of those events happening this year, people will not only miss out on an opportunity to show their respect to those that served our community so valiantly – but also a valid place to donate to the causes supporting ex-servicemen and their families.

"So this year, we have doubled the number of badges available to 1,000 so that we can help secure these events for the future and continue contributing at a time when we can’t all get to ‘put money into a bucket’.”

He added: “For a long time, the Gentleman Songsters of Dudley have held a concert each year to commemorate those who have fought in wars & their families.

“Each year the concert is an opportunity to not only raise money, which it does importantly for the British Legion, but also for people to take time and remember both those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and those who made it back to their community.

"This year’s concert, will be held virtually on November 6 and will be broadcast live on Black Country Radio.”

To order a badge, visit blackcountrytshirts.com