THE family of a great-grandfather who raised thousands for charity will carry on his work.

Through rain or shine, Gerry Keel would sell poppies to raise cash for those who fought for their country.

Now his family have asked mourners to give to the cause as they say their final goodbyes to the great-grandad.

The 85-year-old from Warburton Road died of a long-standing heart condition on January 25.

The grandad-of-15 became a familiar face of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal – collecting thousands for the cause.

He began selling poppies at Sainsbury’s in Bitterne Road in 2012 – spending up to 66 hours over 11 days a year filling collection tins and helping shoppers pin their paper flowers to their lapels correctly while dressed in his Royal Hampshire Regiment Old Comrades Association uniform.

Between 2012-2014 he raised £4,588 for the Royal British Legion, as reported by the Daily Echo.

Gerry was also a regular at the Remembrance Day service at Southampton’s cenotaph, where he planted wooden crosses on behalf of those who were unable to attend the annual event.

The former serviceman completed his National Service at 18 as part of the Royal Hampshire Regiment before serving with the Royal Berkshire Regiment in East Africa between 1948 and 1950.

On returning to the UK he spent eight years with the Territorial Army in Andover before moving to Southampton in 1958 where he has lived ever since, working for Northam Gas Works and then Dimplex in Bitterne where he stayed for 23 years until his retirement in 1985.

Gerry was also a keen baker and he gained a reputation for his caraway seed and coconut cakes which he regularly treated friends and family to.

And when the dad-of-nine wasn’t baking or raising cash he was often found gardening - he even scooped a Thornhill in Bloom prize after cultivating three flower pots for his community in Warburton Road, Thornhill.

Paying tribute, Gerry’s daughter Jackie Jones said: “He was always happy and cheerful and always made people laugh. He will be sadly missed by all of us. We’re going to miss the cakes that he made and the grandchildren miss him as well.”

Clare Peppiatt, community fundraiser for south Hampshire for The Royal British Legion, added:

“We are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Gerry Keel who was one of our valued collectors in Bitterne.

“Gerry had been a great supporter of the charity for around four years.

"Many people would have known him from collecting outside Sainsbury’s in Bitterne during the annual Poppy Appeal.

“We rely on volunteers to support us year-round, and especially during the Appeal. Gerry He will be missed.”

Chris Strowger, store manager of Bitterne Sainsbury’s said: “Gerry’s dedication, engagement and zeal for life inspired our colleagues and customers alike.

"His presence in our store will be sorely missed.”

Family and friends will say their goodbyes to Gerry with a service at Wessex Vale Crematorium in West End from 2.30pm on February 19 ahead of a wake at the Royal British Legion in Thornhill.

Everyone is welcome but family have asked well-wishers not to bring flowers, and instead donate in Gerry’s name to the charity.