Annual appeal in Stamford is launched with company’s help

A funeral company offered the use of its limousines to deliver poppies around Stamford and Bourne.

R J Scholes has supported the launch of the Royal British Legion’s poppy appeal for about 10 years.

On Thursday last week the company provided a limousine and driver to help legion members deliver poppies and collection tins to shops and businesses around the town centres.

Funeral director Daniel Cheeseman said: “We’ve been helping the appeal for a number of years now. We are always looking for ways to help the community and this is another example of that.

“Using our limousine just makes it a bit easier for the legion and they are always grateful for our help.”

President of the Stamford branch of the Royal British Legion, Steve Bonde, said using the limousine has drastically reduced the time it takes to deliver all the poppies.

He said: “It has been a godsend. We have more than 100 bulky boxes so I don’t know how we would do it without them.”

The poppy appeal in Stamford is coordinated by branch member Jim Jackson and has got off to a flying start. Dozens of shops, businesses and supermarkets are selling poppies and merchandise to support servicemen.

Mr Bonde said: “The appeal is going really well so far. The significance of the year and all the publicity around the centenary has really helped. People are more alert to what it’s all about.”

Legion members will also visit schools to speak about remembrance and the significance of the poppy.