Poppy appeal funds expected to see a "35-40%" drop this year, says Swindon Mayor
This year's fundraising has been hit by COVID fears
The British poppy appeal is expecting a "35%-40% drop" in income this year, compared to previous campaigns.
That is according to Swindon's Mayor, who says he's spoken to poppy sellers.
The Mayor has told Greatest Hits Radio the decline is due to some major shops choosing not to host poppy sellers this year.
'Finding some other way for people to donate'
"They (large shops) didn't want numbers of their customers milling around entrances, queuing-up to buy poppies ... that's bound to have a huge effect.
"Also, poppy day collections started a little bit later than normal ... it's only just started in the last week. Whereas I can remember (in previous years) buying poppies two or three weeks beforehand.
"It might be worth looking, for the future, about finding some other way for people to donate. May be even selling them online," he said.
The money raised helps veterans adapt to civilian life, after serving for the military. That can include providing shelter, medical aid or adapting their homes.
The Mayor is parading from 10am today, starting at Swindon Borough Council's Civic Offices, to mark Armistice Day.
He will also be at Swindon's Cenotaph for a service on Remembrance Sunday, with hundreds of residents expected to attend.