SERVICEMEN past and present attended a moving ceremony to launch this year’s Dorset Poppy Appeal.

Crowds gathered in Bournemouth Square to formally launch the fundraising drive for the Royal British Legion and pay tributes to those who gave their lives fighting for freedom.

The Royal Corp Signals Band played while serving soldiers from Bovington manned two armoured vehicles and demonstrated their capabilities to youngsters from St Michael’s School.

The Last Post was impeccably observed and Royal British Legion Standard Bearers lowered their flags in respect to the fallen.

Dignitaries including the Mayor of Bournemouth Cllr Rod Cooper were then presented with poppies by the St Michael’s School pupils.

Ian Jarvis, community fundraiser for Dorset, said: “Last year the volunteers in Dorset raised just over £580,000 which in this climate is absolutely fantastic.

“I’m hopeful this year going into the centenary we can at least match that.”

He said there had been a real drive to recruit new fundraisers this year and added: “The challenge is trying to maintain fundraising for 365 days and making people realise that the Royal British Legion is not just about two weeks.

“I served in the military for 26 years and this is a cause that’s close to my heart. I’ve seen the good and the bad of service life and I’ve certainly seen how the Legion picks up the pieces.

“The Legion spends £1.7m every week on welfare and that can only happen because of the volunteers that go out, sell poppies and make the contributions that they do.”

n Dame Kitty and entertainers from Rubyz will support the poppy collection in Bournemouth on Saturday, November 2.

They will entertain shoppers at 12.30pm.