Crucial to the success of the Legion's annual Poppy Appeal is its army of volunteer collectors who give anything from two hours to two weeks of their time to distribute poppies and collect on streets, shops and workplaces across the country.

As well as collectors, volunteers are also needed to help as local organisers or with distributing poppies, driving, counting donations, organising poppy shops and even getting their own workplaces involved.

Many people don't realise that the Poppy Appeal collection is the Legion's principal way of collecting the welfare funds that are used to provide financial, social and emotional support to those who have served, and are currently serving in our Armed Forces, and their dependents.

The Royal British Legion is dedicated to serving those who serve and our annual Poppy Appeal is vital to allow us to do this.
Many of our usual collectors are older people who are finding it harder to assist us. It is now time for some new faces to step forward to take their place.

We need to hear from you now so that we can ensure that the appeal runs with military precision when it begins in October.

In 2007 the Poppy Appeal collected a record £30million and £475,708 was raised in Derbyshire. This, however, is just a portion of the £75.5million that The Royal British Legion spends every year delivering its Poppy Support services to those in need. We now need more collectors than ever before to keep up with this demand.

It is hoped that this year's campaign will encourage a further 10,000 people to join the ranks of the 300,000 who currently collect for the Poppy Appeal.

To find out about giving up anything from two hours of your time to collect for the Poppy Appeal in Bakewell and the surrounding area call free on 0800 085 5924 or email poppypeople@britishlegion.org.uk.

You can also join our Facebook group to share Poppy Collecting experiences and find out more about which areas need more collectors.

Christine Selden
Community Fundraiser - Derbyshire.
The Royal British Legion.