PETERSFIELD Royal British Legion has praised local residents and schools, volunteers and organisations, after this year’s Poppy Appeal raised more than £27,500 – surpassing last year’s total by more than £3,000.
British Legion Poppy Appeal organiser Jeff Williams said: “I would like to offer a most sincere thank you to all the people of Petersfield and the surrounding area for raising so much in these times when cash is tight. We are most grateful for this fantastic support.”
The money raised is used to make life easier for former and injured servicemen, their families, dependents, widows and other retired members of the armed forces in need.
This year the Tithe Barn at Ditcham was used to store all the boxes, collection tins, and thousands of poppies, needed for the appeal, which ran from October 29 to November 11.
Before the appeal, British Legion members and other volunteers packed boxes with poppies and sorted collection tins in a building in the Wetherspoons Red Lion car park.
And once it was underway, Petersfield Bowls and Snooker Club in St Peter’s Road was used as a base, with club members helping out by delivering the Poppy Appeal boxes to village shops.
Mr Williams said: “Particular thanks also to our intrepid town and outlying village distributors, and collectors, Petersfield Air Training Corps, Petersfield Scouts, Petersfield WI ladies, and all the shops and businesses who collected on behalf of the appeal.
“A special thanks goes to Churcher’s College, who once again staged a memorable Poppy Appeal fund raising concert and provided superb support on Remembrance Sunday, as did students from Bedales school who did a bucket collection and gave out the order of service on Remembrance Sunday.“