RECORD POPPY APPEAL
THE annual Royal British Legion poppy appeal in Leek has broken all records.
The figure just announced show that the towns raised a staggering £46,446.
Poppy appeal organiser for Leek, Carley Mellor, said she was over the moon which the huge amount raised.
She said: “I have been doing this for three years and each year it has increased, but the amount raised for the last appeal is fantastic.
“It is hard work, but the number of volunteers coming forward to help has also been brilliant.
“Last year we raised £36,000, but this year we have seen the 100th year commemorations of the ending of WW1, which has helped.
“We also have a poppy shop each year which is set up for a few weeks at Bury and Hilton Estate agents in the town, which we are so grateful.
“Beside the money collected we have received donations from different sources and there has also been several events held.
“Thanks go to everyone for this brilliant collection. I would like to thank the collectors, people who have donated and also the town’s supermarket for their wonderful help.”
Geoff Robinson BEM, aged 87 from Endon, is the longest serving poppy collector for Leek.
He said: “It is marvellous. When I first started collecting in 1995, we raised £2,000.
“What we have done this year is just marvellous.
“It is hard work, as it is not just for two weeks, but a month’s job. Weeks before and then a week after clearing up. The people of Leek and District are very, very generous people.”
David, aged 77, and wife Beryl Stew aged 75 from Foxt, began collecting for the Poppy Appeal this year.
They said: “We have enjoyed it. We have been collecting in Morrisons and Aldi in Leek.
“It is brilliant how much has been raised.
“We met some nice and interesting people. Generally around here, people are generous. The 100 years since the signing of the peace treaty has helped to inspire people. God willing, we will carry on collecting for many more years.”
Alan Bates, aged 79, chairman for Cheddleton branch, from Leek, said: “The poppy appeal in Cheddleton raised £14,000, which is up by £2,000 from last year.
“I would like to thank everyone from Werrington, Wetly Rocks, Cheddleton and Leekbrook for their support.”
It has also been announced that the Tean branch raised £3,755.91 and the Rudyard branch £1,439.22 which are all additional amounts to the Leek collection.