Former Sheffield actor uses his talent to support the Poppy Appeal

Brandon Dodsworth, aged 23, is paying tribute to the Armed Forces and raising funds for the Poppy Appeal by learning, reciting and filming a different World War One poem everyday throughout November.

The former Mosborough Primary pupil is an accomplished actor performing several times as part of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

He has strong family connections to the military. His father is a former member of the Royal Air Force and his brother is serving in the RAF.

Brandon, who was born in Sheffield is releasing the poems everyday at 11am on social media.

His grandfather Alex Birch said: “He is raising money for the Poppy Pppeal and is backed by the British Legion in this effort.

"They opened the gates of the National Arboretum so that we could film a recital within that place of memoriam, incidentally her majesties 50 piece military band was there to film a take for her Christmas Message, and they waited for us to finish our filming before they started - a surreal moment to say the least.”

He added: “I have had the pleasure of filming him on occasions at different locations, and Brandon has also filmed many by himself which I believe is a testament of his dedication toward this project.”

Brandon studied at The University of Birmingham.

He said: “I studied English literature and drama there, which included World War One literature.

"I then worked with the Royal Shakespeare company doing a couple of productions with them.”

From there Brandon went to complete is masters degree in drama in London, where he has been based since 2018.

Brandon’s most notable roles to date with the Royal Shakespeare company are King Lear, where he performed alongside Sir Antony Sher, Julius Caesar and Coriolanus.

He also worked with the Shakespeare Institute putting on performances in Stratford-Upon -Avon.

The performances can be viewed on Facebook , Twitter and YouTube with donation links at the end of each performance.

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