THE ORGANISER of Petersfield’s Poppy Appeal has written a heartfelt letter to the town for people’s fantastic and record-breaking support.

The amount residents donated to the Petersfield Poppy Appeal 2018, which coincided with the centenary of Armistice Day, has exceeded £36,000 with some funds still to be collected.

That’s nearly £6,000 more than the previous high, with donations for the 129 silent soldiers which appeared in town centre shop frontages and windows raising a four-figure sum alone.

“During these austere times when cash is tight, we are most grateful for this fantastic support,” said Jeff Williams, of the Petersfield Royal British Legion, (RBL) with particular thanks going to Jeremy Oates, Petersfield Bowling and Snooker Club, Petersfield Town Council, the Women’s Institute, street collectors, shops, Churcher’s College and Bedales School.

“Thank you very much for helping with our appeal, your assistance is so valued and contributes enormously in helping us to continue our vital welfare and benevolent work.

“Finally, this was a most special year, so thank you to all those who participated in and supported the RBL in making Remembrance Sunday a fitting tribute to the 2018 Poppy Appeal.”

This year’s Remembrance Sunday was also a special one for Petersfield couple Matt and Polly Crow, as their daughter, Edith, was welcomed to the world on the 11th.

Edith – which means ‘blessed’ and ‘prosperous in war’ – was born nearly 100 years to the day that Matt’s great-grandfather, John George Crow, died following a mustard gas attack, making him one of the last British victims of the First World War.

To make it even more poignant, Matt’s granddad, also called John, was born during the same week a century ago.