A poppy seller has raised thousands of pounds by taking on a rail marathon across two days, selling poppies onboard various rail services up and down the country.
74-year-old Denis Scaife, a well known face on the East Coast Main Line, took on his biggest poppy selling challenge to date alongside his wife Barbara.
The couple boarded Hull Trains and Lumo services from Retford to London King’s Cross, followed by Newcastle and Edinburgh and then all the way back again in just two days.
Their total journey covered over 1,000 miles.
Poppy seller Denis Scaife has undertaken an epic challenge over the past two days, travelling more than 1,000 miles on the Poppy Express! 🎉
— Hull Trains (@Hull_Trains) October 30, 2025
Raising thousands of pounds for the @PoppyLegion and @Poppyscotland, Denis and his wife Barbara travelled with us to London and our sister… pic.twitter.com/AADoONinSM
Denis started the ‘Poppy Express’ ten years ago with just him and his wife which has now grown into an organisation with 15 volunteers travelling along the East Coast Main Line to raise money every year.
He is a former Non-Commissioned Officer (sapper) with the Corps of Royal Engineers and last year managed to raise over £15,000 for the cause so close to his heart.
Hull Trains and Lumo organised a surprise for Denis and Barbara upon their arrival in Scotland, with an exclusive invitation to attend a Scottish Poppy Appeal reception at Holyrood.
Denis said: “Hull Trains have stood by me and the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal right from the start and it’s always a privilege to sell poppies to the friendly and generous customers onboard.
“Our poppy marathon, this time teaming up with Lumo as well, has been a really special way to mark ten years of fundraising.
“Having the chance to attend the Scottish Poppy Appeal reception was a unique opportunity and a special moment for myself and Barbara. I’d like to thank both Lumo and Hull Trains for their amazing support and here’s to many more years to come!”