Retired firefighter’s pins with purpose are back to raise funds for charity

A retired Staffordshire firefighter has designs on raising funds for the Royal British Legion once again in the build-up to Remembrance Day.

Kelvin Chell, from Audley, Newcastle-under-Lyme, has raised more than £140,000 in six years for the Poppy Appeal through his bespoke enamel poppy badges.

In 2025 alone, he raised a massive £50,000.

His pins with purpose are now on sale for a minimum donation of £4 at locations across the county, with new designs for 2026 representing Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service and Staffordshire Police.

This year Kelvin has even designed a bespoke JCB digger-themed pin badge after teaming up with JCB and Fenton-based JCB supplier Rayne Engineering.

Kelvin, whose customised Staffordshire poppies were first made in 2020, with the initial design including a Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service cap badge, said: “There are 15 new designs available to choose from this year.

“Each year the demand for these unique poppies increases and they’re now being sent all over the world. This week photos were posted of them in Australia. Some are even on the way to a fire station on Vancouver Island in Canada.

“With this year’s additions, the total number of designs in the collection is 38 - my long-term favourite being the Spitfire.

“I’m amazed how a simple idea has escalated into allowing me to raise over £140,000 for the Royal British Legion and I would like to thank the Chief Fire Officer of Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service for his support and assistance in this charity event.”

For more information, visit: Staffordshire poppies