SUPPORT POPPY APPEAL

THE Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal 2017 is now under way to raise funds to help look after the welfare, interests and memory of those who have served, or are still serving, in the Armed Forces.

As the mayor of Halton for 2017-18, I am appealing to everyone in the borough to support this vital campaign. The Poppy Appeal provides the main source of funds to maintain the Legion’s many welfare and benefit schemes which help more than 300,000 people each year.

There are also many more embers of the ex-Service community who need help, and the Legion is developing a new welfare programme to reach out to those people.

Therefore, each year, the need for people to support the Poppy Appeal is even greater.

Once again, the Legion is running its ‘Poppy People’ campaign to try and attract new volunteers, as many of those who traditionally give their services are becoming too elderly to continue. Anyone over 16 years of age is eligible to help and they can do this by e-mailing volunteersupport@ britishlegion.org.uk

As ever, poppies will be on sale in Halton Borough Council buildings, and the council will support the Legion’s observation of two minutes’ silence on November 11 to honour those who have served their country.

Finally, I would ask everyone to wear their poppy with pride in 2017 and say thank you for contributing.