MALVERN's Royal British Legion members have launched this year's poppy appeal with an invitation for residents to play their part in raising £35,000 for this year's poppy appeal.

Marion McLaverty, one of the appeal organisers, said: said: “This year we want everyone to uncover the story behind the poppy and learn how your donation helps today’s armed forces community. The Legion does amazing work, but we need more people to help us with our vital work so if you can help us for just two hours or two days during the remembrance period please call Nick Martin on 07721 432 921.

“Most people are familiar with the poppy as a symbol of remembrance, but its original meaning was also one of hope for the future. Hope to live on in more positive and independent lives after going through tough times, and it is hope the Legion provides to those in the armed forces community. Every donation received will make a real difference to the lives of servicemen and women, veterans and their loved ones.”

The fundraising target in the Malvern area is £35,000, which will go towards the Legion’s national target of £41 million to continue its vital work delivering practical  care and support to the armed forces community.

County fundraiser Nick Martin said: “The Legion’s role remains as contemporary and as vital as it has ever been supporting today’s generation of service personnel, veterans, and their families whether living with an injury or illness, coping with bereavement or finding employment.

“We’re encouraging people to dig deep for this year’s Poppy Appeal to help us raise £41 million. The Legion’s work is entirely dependent on the public’s generous support – so please wear your poppy with pride, knowing that you are helping the Armed Forces community to live on.”

The generosity of the British public helped the Legion answer over 450,000 calls for help in the last year.

The money raised from the poppy appeal goes towards the Legion’s work with current serving personnel, veterans and their families, including innovative dementia care, theatre recovery projects, world-leading research on blast injury studies, and Legion-owned seaside break centres.