Devoted Burgess Hill Tesco poppy seller celebrates 50 years
A dedicated poppy seller in Burgess Hill is marking his golden year by continuing to raise funds for the Royal British Legion.
Fred Wheatland has raised over £41,000 for Royal British Legion (RBL) Poppy Appeal and has sat in the very spot he is in today ever since Burgess Hill Tesco Superstore opened in 1994.
Mr Wheatland’s volunteering began in 1976 after moving into a Keymer Court flat in the centre of Burgess Hill. Whilst moving in he bumped into a visitor who asked if he would be the collector for the flats, for Fred the RBL was something close to his heart due to family connections, so he agreed.
His grandfather, Fredrick Kingsley fought in the First World War in the Battle of the Somme and unfortunately had part of his finger amputated. History also stems to his step-father John Allen, who was shot in the Second World War as an RAF pilot and was smuggled back to England after he suffered burns.
For Mr Wheatland, his favourite part of his long-standing voluntary work is hearing the stories of families and the local connection, “I find it very interesting to do and I’ll continue to do it as long as I possibly can”.
Alongside volunteering, he spent 42 years working in the electricity sector, finishing his working life at UK Power Networks.
The company actively supported his Poppy Appeal efforts by granting him two days of paid charitable leave each year.
Annually, Fred would take three days from his own holiday entitlement and combine it with the two days provided by UK Power Networks, so he could take a full week off work every year to coordinate and run the local collection.
He spoke on moving near Fairfield Wreck with his wife and children and he began collecting donations for the appeal in his neighbourhood
He later moved to Tesco 32 years ago, where he continues to still be.
Just as Fred was inspired in his twenties to begin volunteering, he is hoping to do the same and wonders what will happen when he can no longer do it.
Mr Wheatland can be found alongside other volunteers, including his son, in the entrance of Burgess Hill Tesco Superstore from 7.30am-1pm everyday until Saturday November 7th.