Royal British Legion research shows overwhelming UK public support for silence 

94% of the British public think it is important to continue observing the Two Minute Silence

‘2 Minute Silence’ single, in the form of a silent video, features top UK celebrities who have donated their time to The Royal British Legion

Party leaders lend support to ‘2 Minute Silence’ single

All proceeds of single go to helping Serving and ex-Service members of the Armed Forces community

‘2 Minute Silence’ has stormed into the iTunes charts’ top 20

Wednesday 10th November: Research published by The Royal British Legion, the charity behind the Poppy Appeal, shows a massive 94% of the British public think it is important to continue observing the Two Minute Silence, with eight in ten adults saying it is "very important".

To raise money for this year’s Poppy Appeal, The Royal British Legion has released a silent single, entitled ‘2 Minute Silence’, into the UK music charts. The single has already generated a massive following on Facebook with over thirty thousand fans (facebook.com/poppysingle2010) and is storming up the iTunes charts. The Legion hopes the single will reach Number One in the UK charts for Remembrance Sunday.

‘2 Minute Silence’, available to download from iTunes, is a video featuring 23 of the UK’s top celebrities, including the Prime Minister, Thom Yorke and Mark Ronson. 

David Cameron noted, “We must never forget the sacrifices the brave men and women of our Armed Forces have made and continue to make. It is only right that we should show our support for their work.”

Commenting on the single, Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat Leader, Nick Clegg said:

“Downloading the ‘2 Minute Silence’ single is a great way to make a donation to the Poppy Appeal and show support for The Royal British Legion.  We can all help get it to Number 1 on Remembrance Sunday and raise vital funds to help serving and ex-Service people in need, and their families.”

Labour Party leader Ed Miliband voiced his support for ‘2 Minute Silence’:

“The Royal British Legion does fantastic work helping the armed forces community. The Labour Party would like to lend its support to the ‘2 Minute Silence’ single and we hope it raises vital funds supporting our Armed Forces community.”

"We often hear from people who want to observe the Silence, but who don't know where to do it," said Stuart Gendall, the Legion's Director of Corporate Communications.  “We are encouraging everyone to observe the Two Minute Silence in a new way by downloading our track on 7th November”.

The charity single brings together celebrities from the worlds of sport, music, TV and politics and captures them taking a moment of reflection and remembrance. Standing side by side these celebrities are members of the Armed Forces community, such as Corporal Simon Brown, who was shot in the face by a sniper in Iraq, and commented: 

“Without the support of The Royal British Legion around you it’s very hard to build up your confidence and realise what the country actually thinks of you.” 

On appearing in the UK music charts, Corporal Brown continued “it’s not something I ever thought I’d be involved in but I think it’ll be pretty cool – our lass will be impressed!”

The results of The Royal British Legion’s research show an astonishing support for the Silence. Funds raised from the single will go towards helping members of the Afghan generation, as well as the Armistice generation.

The Two Minute Silence was first observed 90 years ago on the request of King George V, who felt it should be held on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1919 to coincide with the signing of the Armistice a year earlier. 

For high resolution images or for further information, please contact:

Oliver Druttman

0207 300 6220 or 07958 524 034

oliver.druttman@bm.com

Liam Maguire (07769 968 858)

LMaguire@britishlegion.org.uk

David Godfrey (07960 652 170)

david.godfrey@bm.com

Access a preview of the video and behind the scenes footage at:

 http://www.youtube.com/user/royalbritishlegion

Notes to editors:

The Royal British Legion is the nation's leading Armed Forces charity providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. It is also the national Custodian of Remembrance and safeguards the Military Covenant between the nation and its Armed Forces. It is best known for the annual Poppy Appeal and its emblem the red poppy.www.britishlegion.org.uk

The survey was conducted by Ipsos MORI for The Royal British Legion among 1,054 British adults age 16 plus between 6 and 8 November 2009.