Poppy Appeal launches across Rutland and Stamford
This year marks 100 years since the Royal British Legion began fundraising for the Armed Forces
The Poppy Appeal has launched today (28 October) across Rutland and Stamford.
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 in Stamford and Rutland will be among 40,000 collectors across the country.
Mark Smith, a community fundraiser for the area, told Greatest Hits Radio about how much it means:
"I'm actually a disabled veteran myself.
"I've been a beneficiary of the Poppy Appeal's work and my son is currently serving in the RAF.
"So I've done the whole journey and I know the impact the fundraising and the welfare services have on families, on individuals, on people's mental health.
"It's incredible and long may that continue."
He added:
"We've had recent conflicts and we support anybody who's been on active service or in active service.
"We also look after their families as well in many cases.
"So it's not just the person who held the rifle or trod the ground, it's the people that were behind them."
Donations can be made to local Poppy Appeal collectors, by text or online.