Dorset launches poppy appeal (From Bournemouth Echo)

Dorset launches poppy appeal

8:30am Monday 26th October 2009 in

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RESIDENTS across Dorset defied the wind and rain on Saturday, turning out to launch this year’s Poppy Appeal.

Historic military vehicles were stationed in the square at Wimborne while the Dorset Youth Marching Band made their way from the Royal British Legion HQ on Redcotts Lane to the town centre to see town mayor, Cllr John Burden, buy the first poppy.

The Wimborne branch of the RBL raised more than £18,000 from their poppy appeal last year, and this year will collect over two weekends for the first time ever.

Its dedicated team of street collectors, house visitors, and pubs and restaurants in the town will unite in a bid to beat last year’s impressive total.

In Christchurch, the mayor, Cllr David Flagg defied the elements to join members of the town’s British Legion, including chairman Eric Newman and the Royal British Legion Band with fundraising members of Somerfield supermarket also present.

Ron Chapple, branch secretary, said: “The current situation has brought the subject to everyone’s attention. People can turn on the television and they are confronted with images of war. It’s a very emotional subject.

“We’re really hoping everyone is going to back us this year. Our work never stops. It is always ongoing.”

And in Poole, organisers were hoping the iconic Poppy Appeal would avoid becoming another victim of the UK’s economic meltdown.

Poole Royal British Legion's Margaret Ambrose, who joined collectors for Poole’s Poppy Appeal launch in the Dolphin Shopping Centre on Saturday, said she was hoping to top last year’s £20,000 branch total.

“On the first day of the appeal last year we raised around £1,100, and we are hoping to do even better this time around,” she said.

“People think the Royal British Legion only deals with veterans of the Second World War, but this is wrong – this year the victims of Afghanistan and Iraq are very much in mind.”

The appeal received a welcome boost from a team of volunteers dressed as characters from the Star Wars films.

Calling themselves the Dark Agents, the volunteers help drum up support for a host of charities, including the Royal British Legion.

The branch will collect over two weekends for the first time ever this year. A ceremony was also held in Ferndown, where town mayor Cllr Queenie Comfort bought the first poppy.