Poppy Appeal launches across Bucks, Beds and Herts
This year marks 100 years since the Royal British Legion began fundraising for the Armed Forces
Last updated 28th Oct 2021
The Poppy Appeal has launched today (28 October) across Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire.
This year marks 100 years since the Royal British Legion began fundraising for the Armed Forces.
Last year face-to-face collections could not be carried out, but this year collectors are returning to local communities.
Those across the three counties will be among 40,000 collectors across the country.
Mark Lewis, a community fundraiser for Bedfordshire, told Greatest Hits Radio about how much it means:
"Being a veteran myself, I served with the Second Battalion Parachute Regiment, and I sustained life-changing injuries in Afghanistan.
I can say from a personal point of view, the money raised through the Poppy Appeal really does go to help our armed forces and the families of the armed forces as well.
It helps in care homes, it also helps veterans transition from the military to civilian street with job interview techniques, CV writing further education if they need,
I joined at a very young age of 16 years old and didn't really have any civilian life experience.
When I came out of the army, things like CV writing and job interview techniques were very helpful for someone like myself.
I still get that care and support today with things like having wet rooms put into my home etc."
He added:
"This year's poppy appeal is our centenary year, so it's 100 years since the Royal British Legion has been going.
This year it's more important than ever that we recognize our collectors and also remember that every poppy counts."
Donations can be made to local Poppy Appeal collectors, by text or online.