Prince Harry's heartwarming gesture towards Aberdeenshire Invictus champion had 'tears all round'
This week saw thousands of poppies collected from Lady Haig's Poppy Factory for distribution across Scotland ahead of the 2024 Scottish Poppy Appeal.
David Jarvis, an Aberdeenshire sporting hero, helped send them on their way. He is a veteran of the Royal Signals who rode his way to gold for Team UK in the cycling time trials at last year's Invictus Games in Germany.
After the Scot crossed the finishing line in Dusseldorf, Prince Harry was seen lifting his four-year-old daughter Sophia over the safety barrier so she could run to her father.
Royal correspondent Victoria Ward posted the clip on X and said there were "tears all round". Harry also offered to lift David's wife, Stephanie, over the barrier, although she politely declined, writes the Scottish Daily Express.
She later told Hello! magazine: "It was incredible, I am absolutely speechless. This is David's sport. I knew he'd be strong. But for him to go and win gold and get the fastest time overall, it's incredible. I'm so emotional. I'm just really proud of him."
Now, David is supporting Poppyscotland as a Poppy Appeal volunteer, organising collections in his local area.
He said: "As a veteran myself, I understand the vital impact of the support Poppyscotland provides for the Armed Forces community every day of the year, and I wanted to do whatever I could to help.
"I'm honoured to be part of this special day for Poppyscotland and Lady Haig's Poppy Factory, seeing the end result of a year of hard work and dedication.
"The poppy is our national symbol of Remembrance and I urge people across Scotland to wear the poppy and show that you remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, and that you care about our veterans and those still serving."
Around 1.5 million iconic four-petalled Scottish poppies have been produced this year, as the charity moves to completely recyclable poppies.
Poppyscotland also continues to reduce plastic use in wreaths and other Remembrance items, which are handmade in the Edinburgh factory by disabled veterans.
Poppyscotland's Head of Fundraising and Learning, Gordon Michie, added: "Our distinctive Scottish Poppy remains a symbol of reflection and of gratitude, and every single penny raised during the Appeal helps us to continue our vital work supporting the Armed Forces community.
"We hope that the nation will get behind the Scottish Poppy Appeal again this year by wearing the poppy. Your donations help us keep providing mental health support, financial support, and the other essential welfare services that make a life-changing difference to those who have given so much for all of us."
The Scottish Poppy Appeal is the largest annual charity street collection in Scotland and raises over £2m annually.
Run by the charity Poppyscotland, all the money raised goes towards tailored funding and assistance for members of the armed forces community.