I WOULD like to take the opportunity to sincerely thank everyone who helped and supported this year’s Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

The area I cover includes Bournemouth town centre, Bournemouth Arcade and many shops and businesses – this year we raised £22,218.76.

Thanks go to my loyal helpers who man the stall in the arcade, Phil Pring who organises the collection in Asda at the Lansdowne, the Mayor of Bournemouth, Hill View Road Post Office staff, the Aden Veterans, serving personnel, the Dorset Troopers and Voice the choir from the Life Centre in Moordown.

Thanks too to Rev Ian Terry from St Peter’s Church, various council staff who assist with the entertainment in the Square, Chris from Kaleidoscope for the PA system and all the many loyal poppy sellers who help year after year in all weathers.

Also Hotters shoe shop for letting us store our table and stock every night.

May I also thank all the shops and businesses around the town who have increased their amount this year and to all my councillor colleagues and staff who assisted with the appeal.

Thank you to the Daily Echo for all of their support and never letting us down with helping to raise the awareness of the appeal, so important to the Royal British Legion as they can continue their work and help veterans from all wars and who are in need and their families.

It’s a real team effort; thank you Bournemouth for your generosity.

CLLR ANNE REY, Poppy Appeal Organiser Town Centre