AN URGENT call for organised individuals to step up and help with this year's Poppy Appeal has been issued in the north of the county.

The Oxfordshire branch of the Royal British Legion is looking for an appeal organiser to step in at short notice and take up the mantle of district organiser for Bodicote.

Volunteers are also being sought as well as help with management up and down the county before the launch of the annual campaign on October 27.

Mark Garwood, Oxfordshire's community fundraiser for the RBL, said he was in need of a volunteer with 'some time on their hands'.

He added: "I'm looking for someone with a passion for fundraising, and helping beneficiaries have as good a life as possible and carry on with their lives as normal.

"It is a very busy time of year and we are trying to recruit as many organisers as possible."

At present the Oxfordshire branch has a total of 92 organisers and hundreds of volunteers going door-to-door or hosting events to raise cash.

Last year a total of £560,475 was raised for RBL through the poppy appeal, which this year will run until Remembrance Sunday on November 13.

Bodicote, which has about 25 collectors, is lacking an organiser as the previous holder of the post has moved out of the county.

Mr Garwood said: "In Oxfordshire the appeal is still going strong. People are very generous and always willing to give.

"It's important to keep it alive because we serve the people who have served the country in Her Majesty's Armed Forces, both past and present, and their families as well.

"In Oxfordshire we need as many volunteers as possible; every single district is worth its weight in gold."

At present, Mr Garwood said, the Bodicote office is 'cram-packed' with boxes and tins and wreaths ready to be distributed for the appeal.

Organisers are responsible for supporting street collectors and house-to-house collectors and handing out equipment, as well as counting, bagging up and banking donations at the end of the appeal.

They must also make sure tins and collection boxes are safely stored away.

Signing up is a relatively simple process with prospective organisers only required to attend a short induction course, then learn on the job shadowing others.

Next year new organisers will also be needed for the Thame and Stadhampton districts and RBL is looking to fill these posts now.

Every year more than 350,000 volunteers are required across the country to raise vital funds supporting former Armed Services personnel and their families.

Nicola Tallett, RBL's interim director of fundraising, said: "The Poppy Appeal is The Royal British Legion’s main fundraising event of the year.

"The appeal simply wouldn’t be possible without the tremendous support we receive each year from our valued volunteers.

"They are very much the lifeblood of the appeal and contribute enormously to the charity year-round through a variety of roles. We’d love all who want to volunteer with us to get in contact.”

For more information or to get involved in fundraising efforts call 02030537271 or email mgarwood@britishlegion.org.uk