Poppy appeal begins in Herefordshire as The Royal British Legion mark 100 years

To mark the launch of the appeal, The Royal British Legion is shining a spotlight on the people of all generations and backgrounds who have been at the heart of the poppy appeal in local communities for over 100 years.

Covid-19 restrictions led the charity to cancel all face-to-face fundraising for the first time in its history in 2020.

Left to right: Stephanie Crowther, Ray Bayliss and Anne Ellis

This year 40,000 Poppy Appeal volunteers are raising vital funds to support the work of the charity.

Jackie Smith, of Garway Hill, has been offering poppies house to house for 50 years, started collecting as a child of seven with a neighbour.

Jackie Smith, Poppy Appeal collector/volunteer

"Last year was hard.

"I really missed collecting as I enjoy speaking to the people who donate to the appeal every year, so it'll be great to be back out there in Garway Hill this year," she said.

Jackie and her friend Viginia collecting in 1979, aged 17

Ellen Jones, Much Marcle poppy appeal organiser, is also looking forward to organising her first appeal.

Poppy Appeal collector/volunteer Ellen Jones

She has already raised over £500 from a tea party in the summer and wanted to volunteer with the legion in memory of her great grandfather who lost his leg in the battle of Passchendaele.

Ellen Jones's great grandfather James

He went on to work at the poppy factory in Richmond, Surrey, before moving to Eastnor during the Second World war to bring up his 10 children with his wife.

They continued to make the poppies, with help from the children, and Ellen is honoured to be continuing his work.

Ellen Jones's great grandfather James later in life

Nicole Mayall, community fundraising manager, said: "As the impact of Covid-19 continues to leave some members of the armed forces community in urgent need of our help, your support is as crucial as ever."

The Royal British Legion was formed in the aftermath of the First World War to fight for the rights of soldiers who had risked their lives for the country.

The charity continues to stand with the armed forces community, supporting them in the face of hardships, injuries, and bereavements.

Donations raised during this vital fundraising period are used to provide life-long support to serving and ex-serving members of the British armed forces, their families, and dependants.

They provide crisis grants, sport and art-based recovery programmes, specialist dementia care, and support with benefit and money issues.

The poppy appeal will end Sunday, November 14.

Donations can be made online via the charities website britishlegion.org.uk