ORGANISERS of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal are hoping Poole residents will dig deep this year.

The Poole appeal was officially launched in the town centre’s Dolphin Shopping Centre on Saturday morning.

Poole Mayor Phil Eades joined volunteers on the collection stand to show his support for the appeal.

Volunteers hope to raise £20,000 for the forces charity this year, which supports British veterans of all conflicts.

Poppy Appeal organiser Margaret Arnold told the Daily Echo: “There has already been lots of support for the Poppy Appeal in Poole. We normally do very well here and today is the first day of two weeks we have to sell poppies, running up to Remembrance Day on November 11.”

With other forces charities, such as Help For Heroes, enjoying such a high profile in recent years, members of the Royal British Legion are eager to ensure the public understands what the Poppy Appeal is for.

“People sometimes get the impression that the Royal British Legion does not work with servicemen and women who are veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan,” explained Mrs Arnold. “This is obviously untrue.”

She said: “Money donated to the Poppy Appeal goes towards a range of services to support veterans, and their families, from all conflicts.”

Last year Poole residents donated £18,000 for the appeal, which was slightly down compared to 2011.

Mrs Arnold said: “I’d like to get it back up to £20,000 this year.”

n Volunteers to help with the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal are urgently need in Poole, said organiser Margaret Arnold.

She added: “In particular we need people to help with collections outside supermarkets, especially at Sains-bury’s Poole and Tesco Branksome.”

Call Mrs Arnold on 07748 052423.