Members of the Royal British Legion’s Ellesmere and District branch are celebrating another record year of fund-raising for the Poppy Appeal.
Donations in the financial year to the end of September totalled £16,170, a whopping 24 per cent increase on the previous twelve months..
“I’m almost lost for words,” said appeal organiser Caroline Ford. “The people here are amazingly generous in supporting our armed forces community and I’m touched, delighted and proud that we’ve been able to bring in over £3,000 more than in 2023/24, especially when many people have had to tighten their belts because of rising prices.
“I want to say a big thank you to everyone who donated money and also to our magnificent volunteers, local businesses, school, churches and other organisations who have helped us achieve another fund-raising record.”
Most of the money was raised in the three weeks leading up to Remembrance Sunday last November, including more than £7,000 collected by volunteers at the Legion’s poppy merchandise stall in Ellesmere’s Tesco store.
A further £4,400 came from the 40 collection boxes placed in local shops, pubs and other businesses, and via schools and churches. The Legion’s annual Poppy Concert in the town’s Comrades’ Club raised more than £600, and customers at Mere Motors service station collected nearly £1,000.
Across Shropshire, the appeal brought in more than £501,000 towards a national total of £51.4 million, two per cent more than the previous year.
Legion branch chairman Bob McBride said: “In a year when we’ve celebrated and commemorated the 80th anniversary of the end of 2nd World War, it’s heart-warming to see the outstanding care and support shown by the people of Ellesmere and district for our servicemen and women, veterans and their families.
“Last year, the Legion responded to more than 350 calls a day for assistance from members of the armed forces community Over 22,000 people received welfare grants totalling £11 million; 800 veterans were given support to live independently in Legion care homes, while the Battleback Centre at Lilleshall, near Telford provided rehabilitation and recovery programmes for more than 700 troops who suffered physical and mental trauma while serving in Afghanistan and Iraq. .
“The Poppy Appeal has been funding this kind of help since 1921 and we’re extremely grateful to everyone who supports us, especially during these troubled times when our military personnel face increasing challenges in trying to keep us safe and secure.”
Pictured: The Legion’s poppy stall in Ellesmere’s Tesco store last year with appeal organiser Caroline Ford, (left) and branch chairman Bob McBride (right).
