Young Methodist to sing official Poppy Appeal single

The Poppy Girls

A young Methodist girl is among the singers chosen to perform the official 2013 Poppy Appeal single.

Charlotte Mellor, 17, is the daughter of the Reverend Paul Mellor and one of The Poppy Girls, the first all-girl group formed from Armed Forces families.

Reverend Mellor is a Methodist chaplain in the Forces and serves at RAF Cosford in Shropshire, while Charlotte attends the Methodist school, The Leys, in Cambridge.

She appeared this week on the BBC One Show and BBC Breakfast television programmes, and on Thursday sang for the Prime Minister and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Number 10 Downing Street.

On Saturday, the group will perform their single, "The Call (No Need to say Goodbye)", in front of the Queen and the six million people expected to tune in to the TV broadcast on Saturday.

"My faith is utterly important to me," Charlotte said. "Something my dad taught me a long time ago was that God doesn't love war, but he loves us and that's extremely important to me, especially during the time of Remembrance."

The Poppy Girls were selected from more than a thousand hopefuls, who entered a competition to form the group. 

The live performance in front of the Queen will take place at the Legion's Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall on Saturday. 

The Reverend Mellor, said: "Remembrance Day for me is very personal. During my time within the military, I have had to deal with a number of families who have lost sons and daughters.

"I think of those families who are still suffering. It is a very poignant moment where we all stop as a nation to reflect. Sometimes, even in the midst of conflict, there is hope. We also think about those who have served and made the ultimate sacrifice within that service."

The Reverend Ruth Gee, President of the Methodist Conference, will be attending the Cenotaph Remembrance Day Service this Sunday.

She said: "It will be my privilege to represent the Methodist Church at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday where I will be standing with others to remember those in the forces who have lost their lives in war and in service to this nation.

"We also remember those currently serving in the forces, including those appointed as chaplains.

"The Methodist people remember and pray for all who suffer because of war and violence and we long for peace."