THE POPPY Appeal has launched again in South Hampshire with communities asked to offer their support in a new way.

The annual appeal, run by The Royal British Legion, to raise money for current and ex-service personnel, has been launched in the county today.

With the threat of the Covid-19 pandemic still looming large, the legion are asking the public to support their fundraising in new ways.

Ideas put forward include ordering poppies remotely, printing a poppy and displaying it in a window, or undertaking a virtual Poppy Run.

A spokesperson for the legion said: “The Appeal has to adapt to the threat of Covid-19 and we are asking the public to support us like never before.

“Whilst the pandemic has impacted the ways in which we deliver the Poppy Appeal in South Hampshire, our community of staff, volunteers, partners and suppliers have been working together to ensure that the 2020 Poppy Appeal is able to go ahead.

“Every poppy counts so we are asking people to please support in any way you can.”

Donations are used in ways including providing crisis grants, sport and art based recovery programmes, specialist dementia care, and advising and supporting with benefits and money issues.

The Legion’s Director of Fundraising Claire Rowcliffe said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had an overwhelming impact on people’s livelihoods.

“The Legion’s work is more vital than ever as we support our community through additional hardships.”

Fundraising ideas are available online on The Royal British Legion website.