South Holland organisers adapting Poppy Appeal to COVID times

Royal British Legion (RBL) Poppy Appeal organisers in South Holland will again be honouring the lives of servicemen and women from the area.

But the ongoing coronavirus pandemic means changes to the way people can buy poppies to wear and donate to the appeal.

In Spalding, shops will have Poppy Appeal collection boxes on their counters from Thursday, October 22.

But people can also visit the town's RBL office in Westlode Street where a stall selling poppies, RBL bins and gift packs will be open from 10am on the next three Saturdays, October 24 and 31, as well as November 7.

Liz Carvlin, Spalding's Poppy Appeal organiser , said: "There are going to be Poppy Appeal boxes in shops around the town like we usually do.

"But we're not having the market stalls this year because of COVID-19.

"Everybody that I've spoken to has said they will have our boxes this year and they'll be greeted with open arms.

"We raised £25,000 last year but I expect we'll be down on that quite a bit this year."

In Holbeach, Poppy Appeal boxes will be in shops, including the Tesco store, in Boston Road South.

Organiser Alan Sheppard said: "I shall be at Tesco from Monday, October 26, and wreaths will be displayed at Hix and Son Estate Agents in Church Street, Holbeach, on October 26 and 27.

People in Long Sutton can buy their poppies at shops or at the Friday market on either October 30 or November 6.

Organiser Richard King said: "We won't have any people out collecting this year but a lot of people I've spoken to still wish to donate to the Poppy Appeal this year."

Finally, in Crowland, a number of shops will have Poppy Appeal boxes in place for donations.