"Greatly honoured and naturally delighted" was how Mr Fothergill's joint-managing director David Carey described his reaction on learning the company had been accorded honorary corporate friendship status by the Royal Hospital Chelsea. 

The Suffolk seedsman pledges 25p to the Royal Hospital's charity from every packet of poppy Victoria Cross (£1.85 for 250 seeds) it sells through its retail stockists.

Corporate Friends of the Royal Hospital Chelsea may use a specially designed logo on their marketing material, publicly demonstrating their support for this unique institution which has earned a unique place in the public's affection. 

Receiving the company's honorary corporate friendship at the Royal Hospital Chelsea recently, Carey remarked: "There has been huge support nationwide for this initiative, with the very strongest sales in the south of England and London.  This huge fund-raising activity would not have been possible without the wholehearted backing of our stockists throughout the UK and their public-spirited customers."   

Mr Fothergill's has also announced it will continue to support the organisation at least until 2018, the centenary of the end of hostilities in 2018. 

The Royal Hospital Chelsea was established in 1682 by Charles II to provide a safe home for military veterans 'broken by age or war', the Christopher Wren-designed Royal Hospital admitted its first pensioners in 1692.  The scarlet tunics and black tricornes of its residents and the Royal Horticultural Society's Flower Show held in the Royal Hospital grounds every May are equally well known and respected around the world.

Pictured: David Carey (right) receives the certificate of honorary corporate friendship.