A “beacon of hope” that lit the way for generations of returning service men and woman has now inspired a new Remembrance pin badge.

The Pike Poppy pin badge was designed as a homage to Rivington Pike and will serve as a version of the Remembrance poppy with particular significance for people in the area.

This comes after the Horwich Branch of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal succeeded in raising £179,444 over the last five years.

Dr Kathryn Grant said: “Rivington Pike has long been a defining landmark on our landscape and for many generations it has symbolised a beacon of hope for returning service men and women. 

“In recent years, Horwich, Chorley and Blackrod Councils have come together to mark Remembrance Sunday with the lighting up of Rivington Pike with an illuminated large poppy.

The poppies have been designed with local significance in mindThe poppies have been designed with local significance in mind (Image: Public)

“This simple, yet powerful mark of remembrance seeded the idea for The Pike Poppy pin badge.

“A small group of Horwich residents came together to make this a reality and we now have our own beautiful badge that has a strong local significance to the whole of Horwich, Blackrod, Bolton, Adlington and Chorley.

“Not to mention nearly one million visitors to Rivington each year.”

Dr Grant said she hoped the Pike Poppy badge would help fill a gap left by the Poppy Appel’s decision earlier this year to stop producing regional pin badges like the Bee badge.

A Pike Poppy Pin BadgeA Pike Poppy Pin Badge (Image: Public)

Money raised from the sale of Pike Poppy badges will go to both the National Poppy Appeal and to Westhoughton based veterans’ charity The Darren Deady Foundation.

The foundation is dedicated to Kingsman Darren Deady who was killed in Afghanistan at the age of 22 In 2010 and provides support to veterans and their families.

Dr Grant says that each year a percentage of the money raised from the Pike Poppy will be set aside to make more pin badges for next year.

This will aim to make the Pike Poppies a sustainable self-financing fundraiser that will deliver a yearly income to both charities.

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Pike Poppies are on sale in Horwich at Deighan’s Funeral Parlour on Mason Street, Ruby Rose Boutique on Lee Lane and Chill at the Cowshed on Winter Hey Lane.

They can also be found on sale at The Crown Hotel Pub on Chorley New Road and B33R@33 on Lee Lane, Horwich.

They can be found at Ben’s at the Legion Bar on Manchester Road, Blackrod and at Deighan’s Funeral Parlour on Chorley Road, Adlington.

The Pike Poppies have also been available at The Rivington - Bowling and Café on Horrobin Lane and at the Rivington Pike Snack Shack on George's Lane.