Dorchester woman creates stunning poppy display for charity

Fiona Hooper has been collecting empty drinking bottles since last Christmas to create a poppy display in a bid to raise funds for the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund.

Previously, the Dorchester resident has sold aeroplane-shaped biscuits at the Royal International Air Tattoo in Gloucestershire, but due to Covid-19 has missed the past two years.

“We have not been able to go for two years now and I thought what else could I do to raise money,” said Ms Hooper.

“The charities need money, this will be just a drop in the ocean.”

Ms Hooper put the display together on the front of her house in Monmouth Road, Dorchester, and says she has received nothing but positive feedback.

Read more: Residents asked to give generously as Poppy Appeal 2021 is launched in Dorset

She said: “I set up a Just Giving page at £200 and it raised £170 in the first two days so the aim is to raise as much as I can.”

The original idea came after Ms Hooper saw a similar art display on social media and decided she would have a go herself – with friends and family helping to collect the bottles.

She said: “I saw something on Facebook and thought I could do that and so I have been collecting bottles since last Christmas.

“Friends collected them up as well, including a lady from Derby who I met on holiday and sent two boxes, but mainly it’s local people.

Read more: The Dorset Poppy Appeal is officially launching 

“I have often come home from work and found a bag full on my doorstep.”

Ms Hooper says her passion for planes comes from her dad who was in the RAF.

The charity provides assistance to RAF personnel and their families when they need it since its inception in 1919.

In addition to the display Ms Hooper has written a poem called 'Where Poppies Bloom', which can be seen in her window.

Those who wish to grab a copy of the poem can find one on her doorstep, with visitors encouraged to make a donation at her house or online via the fundraising page.