Daring singer Katie Melua jumped 13,000 feet for an airborne picnic in support of The Royal British Legion’s new summer fundraising campaign Poppy Picnics.

Katie performed the daredevil stunt in support of the Legion’s vital work for the Armed Forces and their families. The jump with the Legion’s extreme human flight team, Jump4Heroes, took place at Netheravon, the home of the Army Parachute Association.

Katie said: “It was an incredible experience. Even though it wasn’t my first ever jump, it’s certainly my first ever picnic in the sky! I still find it really scary before jumping but love overcoming that fear.

“I’m proud to be supporting Poppy Picnics for our Armed Forces and their families. With this fantastic weather, what better way to make a contribution than by turning your summer event into a Poppy Picnic to be proud of.”

 Whilst Katie, who was joined by her husband, former World Superbike champion James Toseland, opted for the sky-high setting to have her picnic, the Legion is calling on people to hold a Poppy Picnic in any kind of setting to celebrate the invaluable contribution made by our Armed Forces community, and to raise money for the Legion.

Whether it’s a games day, a themed event or just an opportunity to show off some serious baking skills, a Poppy Picnic is the perfect way to make any get-together more meaningful this summer. 

A Poppy Picnic is not only an opportunity to celebrate and honour those who serve; it’s also a chance to show solidarity with Armed Forces families, who hold the fort until their loved ones return home.

Charles Byrne, the Legion’s Director of Fundraising said: “Armed Forces families are a key focus for the Legion this year, whether it is employment support, crisis grants or benefits and money advice, we care for people in desperate need.

“The fundraising from our new Poppy Picnics campaign is vitally important, and will make a real impact on the lives of those we help.

“We spend £1.6 million each week providing social, emotional and financial care to the whole Armed Forces community – serving, ex-Service people, and their dependents too.”

To register an event, order a Poppy Picnic pack and get inspiring picnic ideas, please visit www.poppypicnic.org.uk.

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Notes to Editors:

The Royal British Legion stands shoulder to shoulder with all who serve. It 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

For media enquiries, please contact Afsheen Latif, Public Relations Officer, The Royal British Legion on 0203 207 2243 / 07901 110 819 or alatif@britishlegion.org.uk. 

Signed to independent label Dramatico when she was still studying at the Brit School, Katie Melua released her first album 'Call Off The Search' in 2003. The first single, 'The Closest Thing To Crazy', launched the 18 year old to a British audience and the album went to number 1. Her following album 'Piece By Piece' and its lead track 'Nine Million Bicycles' introduced Katie to a global audience and she became the best-selling British female artist throughout the world. Katie's subsequent albums, 'Pictures', 'The House' and 2012's 'Secret Symphony' cemented her place as a much-loved singer with a unique voice and a catalogue of intriguing, signature songs. Katie is now one of Britain's most successful recording artists of the millennium selling more than 11 million albums, 1 million concert tickets and receiving 56 platinum awards. On September 16th 2013, her 29th birthday, Katie will release her 6th studio album ‘Ketevan’ and will be performing a 10th anniversary concert at London’s Roundhouse on October 2nd.  

Press enquiries, please contact Sue Harris, Republic Media on 020 3213 0135 / sue@republicmedia.net