Make poppy pot the biggest yet (From Daily Echo)

Make poppy pot the biggest yet

4:50pm Wednesday 28th October 2009 in News By Lucie Richards

WITH Remembrance Day around the corner Royal British Legion volunteers across the county are out on street corners collecting for the 2009 Poppy Appeal.

Every year the money donated by generous residents during the appeal goes towards supporting the welfare and interests of former and serving members of the armed forces.

The 2009 appeal, which runs until November 11, is emphasising the need to help those who have served in Afghanistan and their families under the slogan “for their sake, wear a poppy”.

The Royal British Legion Basingstoke and Overton raised more than £49,500 last year – a total which branch members hope to beat this year.

Branch member Bill Sample said: “If you see a poppy box please give a donation to help this worthy cause.

“All the money collected goes to the men and women who served in our armed forces past and present as well as their dependants.”

On a county level, Royal British Legion Hampshire launched the 2009 Poppy Appeal on Whale Island, Portsmouth last Friday.

County community fundraiser Clare Peppiatt, who co-ordinates the Poppy Appeal in Hampshire, said: “We are quite a large county so we do what we can to raise funds.

“The 2009 appeal is based on the Afghanistan generation of veterans and their families that we support today and hopefully for the rest of their lives, so we need as much money as possible.

“We help all our veterans from every conflict, but since 2003 we have helped about 10,000 servicemen from the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq.”

Last year Hampshire raised £1m, compared with £31m raised nationally.

Miss Peppiatt said: “We are hoping to match that, even with the recession, because there is such a need for our services.”

Anyone who can spare a few hours to collect in locations around Basingstoke, or door-to-door in their area, can contact Mr Sample on 01256 357666.