A parade of veterans and a flash mob – this was Kent’s Poppy Appeal 2014.

In the year that marks the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War, Bluewater is supporting the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal campaign with a two-week mall takeover.

Commemorations started on Saturday night with a dramatic projection of the symbolic poppy on the cliffs surrounding Bluewater.

On Sunday, 150 people, including standard bearers, veterans, serving personnel, reserves, cadets, Scouts and Brownies joined the Royal British Legion for a parade around the grounds.

Also attending were Dartford MP Gareth Johnson, Dartford mayor Cllr Avtar Sandhu MBE and Gravesham mayor Cllr John Caller.

Shoppers found themselves in the middle of a surprise flash mob on Thames Walk at noon.

Devised and performed by Margate community dance group, Jestress Flo, the flash mob used movement and music to tell the story of a young girl and her journey through the war and later life.

Concluding the launch of the Poppy Appeal, there was a performance by Gareth Malone’s Military Wives Choir, from Brompton Barracks in Chatham.

The Military Wives sang in Bluewater’s Plaza before the Royal British Legion led a spoken tribute and minute’s silence.

Until November 11, when there will be a Remembrance Day memorial silence, the Royal British Legion will be on lower Thames Walk fundraising for the charity.

Bluewater’s general manager Robert Goodman said: “We are proud to host the Royal British Legion’s launch of the Poppy Appeal in Kent.

“We always observe a two-minute silence on November 11 and were honoured when the Royal British Legion asked if we could lend our support to this year’s launch.”

Charles Byrne, the Royal British Legion director of fundraising, said: “The Poppy Appeal 2014 embraces the dual role of the Royal British Legion as the custodians of Remembrance and provider of welfare support to the armed forces community.

“The poppy is a powerful symbol that is worn to commemorate all those who have fought and died in our armed forces and show support for those still serving today and their loved ones.

“We’re encouraging people to dig deep for this year’s Poppy Appeal to help us raise £40m, so we can continue providing our vital support to individuals whether they’re still serving, getting back to civilian life, or have left the services and their families too.”

The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal’s headquarters are in Kent. From its offices and warehouse in Aylesford, near Maidstone, staff send out more than 40m poppies worldwide each year, along with wreaths and crosses.