THE Royal British Legion has urged people to pin on a poppy and make it a record-breaking year for the appeal.

Its Oxfordshire branch will today launch the annual Poppy Appeal, which they say is more vital than ever as it supports an influx of World War Two veterans now suffering in their old age.

The county's community fundraiser Mark Garwood hoped residents can smash last year's record-breaking total of £560,475 and has set a 12-month donations target of £575,000.

He said: "People have been incredibly generous in recent years and it's phenomenal to see the people of Oxfordshire give so generously.

"There have been moving commemorations for the centenary of the Battle of the Somme this year and that will no doubt prompt people to give generously."

RBL county chairman Lynda Atkins stressed that the appeal is 'not just about breaking records', adding: "The number of people we support is growing and we have a greater number of older people that served in World War Two - that's when the largest number of people were in the armed forces."

Mrs Atkins, who served in the RAF for eight years plus three in the Territorial Army, added: "People remain very much aware of the sacrifices made by the armed forces in past conflicts and those sacrifices are still being made today."

She was confident that the move last month to close the RBL's Women's Section and integrate it into the main charity would not deter anyone.

Jim Lewendon stepped down last year as the RBL's county chairman, but pledged to continue collecting for the poppy appeal in Carfax and St Giles as he has done for more than 40 years.

The 88-year-old Headington veteran, who served in the Royal Artillery in 1946, said: "Being older myself, I saw all the injuries and suffering. I like to help those people, and those widows who were left without husbands.

"Veterans now are likely to be in their 90s - we are looking an an ageing population that needs help, as well as those young ones who have suffered horrific injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan. The injuries are worse in modern day warfare.

"I shall be selling again this year because I know where the money goes. I get pleasure knowing we are helping those who put their life on the line for this country."

Referring to one man the RBL helped in Greater Leys, who died last year, he said: "He was housebound so we got him a scooter for those last months of his life. It was such a pleasure to see him up on those pavements and going for a pint with his mates."

The appeal will be launched at Vauxhall Barracks in Didcot today and encourages residents to buy and wear a poppy during Remembrance.

Mr Garwood said volunteers were still needed around the county to help with the appeal, including a district organiser in Bodicote near Banbury and posts next year for those in Thame and Stadhampton.

History of the appeal and how it helps

THE first poppy appeal was held in 1921 when the Royal British Legion was formed.

Red silk poppies, inspired by the famous First World War poem In Flanders Fields, sold out instantly and raised more than £106,000.

The funds helped First World War veterans find employment and housing after the war.

Today some of the services offered by the RBL encompass:

  • Help with housing and handiwork
  • Mental and physical recovery
  • Benefits and finance advice
  • Employment advice
  • Project grants
  • Family adventure breaks
  • Bereavement support