We support Field of Remembrance at National Memorial Arboretum

Six volunteers from National Grid have lent their support to the National Memorial Arboretum and Royal British Legion (RBL) participating in a meaningful day of service to help prepare the RBL Field of Remembrance, which will be hosted onsite at the Arboretum until 16 November.

The team assisted in planting thousands of tributes, each bearing a personal message to someone who lost their life in the Service of our country.

The Field of Remembrance is a powerful tradition that began in 1928 with a small group of disabled veterans planting poppies around a single cross in the grounds of St Margaret’s Church, Westminster.

Since then, it has grown significantly, and this year, more than 32,000 individual tributes were planted at the Arboretum.

By supporting the Arboretum’s mission, the volunteers contributed to ensuring that the unique contribution of those who have served and sacrificed is never forgotten, that the baton of Remembrance is passed on through generations, and that there is a year-round space to celebrate lives lived and commemorate lives lost.

Located on the edge of the National Forest in Staffordshire, the Arboretum is a registered charity and part of the Royal British Legion. Spanning 150 acres, the site welcomes visitors for both formal and informal learning experiences, offering over 420 memorials, riverside walks, and a variety of commemorative activities.

We have delivered more than 17,000 volunteer hours to communities since the launch of our employee volunteering programme in April 2024.

Emily Green, Volunteering & Sponsorship Coordinator at National Grid Electricity Distribution, said:

“It was a real privilege to be part of something so special. Our colleagues were proud to contribute to the Field of Remembrance and support the incredible work of the Arboretum and the Royal British Legion”.

“The atmosphere on site was incredibly moving, and it meant a lot to everyone to play a small part in honouring those who have served. Opportunities like this remind us why volunteering matters - not just to the community, but to us as individuals.”

Emma Syer, Business Development Manager at the National Memorial Arboretum, said:

“We are grateful that National Grid team members once again offered to spend a day supporting our work at the National Memorial Arboretum. It is always great to welcome corporate volunteering groups to the Arboretum, and our friends from National Grid arrived just at the right time, when we needed many extra pairs of hands to help with the installation of the Royal British Legion Field of Remembrance. As a registered charity we rely on the generosity of visitors, partners, Friends, and donors, who offer valuable time and resources to help us preserve inspirational stories of service and sacrifice for future generations. We hope the team from National Grid enjoyed themselves and that we can look forward to welcoming them back soon.”