Help our veterans and wear your Poppy with pride

The people of Aylsham are once again being asked to dig deep and support the Poppy Appeal ahead of the Remembrance commemorations.

The appeal is always well supported in the town and £23,000 was raised by the Aylsham & District branch of the Royal British Legion last year.
Poppy Appeal volunteers will be staffing tables in Tesco and Budgens from October 26 while there will be a pop-up stall in Aylsham Market Place on Saturday, November 2. Collecting tins are also available in shops and businesses across the area. Card machines and QR codes have become increasingly popular ways to make a donation in many locations.

The money plays a vital role in looking after servicemen and women who have served in conflicts across the world.

PLEASE HELP: This year’s Poppy Appeal is about to be launched in Aylsham. Picture: HSR PHOTOGRAPHY

Aylsham & District Poppy Appeal organiser Derek Tomkinson said: “We raised £23,000 last year and we are obviously hoping to beat that this year.

“The Poppy Appeal is important because we still have armed forces and we still have wars going on.
“It’s helping veterans, whether it’s for physical or mental ill health, and immediate dependants – and this is ongoing.”

Derek, who served with the Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (REME) in Germany and Northern Ireland, added: “People in Aylsham are very supportive. We raise a lot of money for a small place and there are bigger places that just don’t compete.”

Derek said the RBL in Aylsham had always strived to make people aware its vital work took place throughout the year and not just during the Poppy Appeal and Remembrance.

“The RBL is there 52 weeks of the year and we can’t push that enough,” added Derek. “It’s about keeping it in the psyche, especially with the youngsters. It’s going to be down to the youngsters to carry the work on.”

Derek would welcome new volunteers to help with the Poppy Appeal and said people should also contact him for the Remembrance wreaths provided by the RBL. You can email Derek at: derek_tomkinson@hotmail.com