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Celebrations as Royal British Legion branches raise more money with Poppy Appeals in centenary year of First World War




The Oakham branch of the Royal British Legion almost doubled the amount of money raised with its Poppy Appeal when compared to last year while Stamford branch raised more than £50,000.

David Smith, Oakham branch chairman, said the centenary celebrations of the end of the First World War had helped raise the profile of the event this year.

He said: “Last year, the appeal raised £21,064.59.

“This year was expected to be a record year, for very obvious reasons, but the results of the appeal have far exceeded our predictions.

“Thus far, we have collected £27,685.75.

“However, we are anticipating the sum raised from the Rutland Poppy Project to be more than £11,000 which will bring the overall total to about £39,000.

“This increase of some 74 per cent speaks volumes for the generosity of the people of Oakham and the surrounding area.”

The Rutland Poppy Project saw more than 10,000 handmade poppies that had been on display at Oakham Castle to commemorate the centenary of the end of the First World War go on sale with proceeds in aid of the Royal British Legion.

The poppies sold for a suggested donation of £2 each while a commemorative booklet was available to buy for a suggested donation of £3.

David said the centenary celebrations had gone a long way to raising the profile of the annual event. “And we were the beneficiaries of that,” he said. “The Centenary celebrations touched a spot in the nation.”

Alan Patrick, Marian Freeman, Roy Prentice and Nigel Barrat at Morrisons in Stamford (6176640)
Alan Patrick, Marian Freeman, Roy Prentice and Nigel Barrat at Morrisons in Stamford (6176640)

In Stamford, nearly £54,000 was raised which was an increase of £5,700 on last year.

Jim Jackson, Stamford Poppy Appeal organiser, thanked all the volunteers who had helped to make it a successful year. This included 103 civilian volunteers along with help from RAF Wittering personnel, 20 Works Group and 12 Engineer Group Royal Engineers personnel and students from the Church of Latter Day Saints.

The money was raised through a variety of means including at collection points around the town, coffee mornings, through the sale of knitted and crocheted poppies, various functions and with help from schools, clubs, businesses and church groups.

Jim thanked everyone involved including Group Captain Tony Keeling from RAF Wittering, Colonel Tom Marsden from the 12 Engineer Group, Lt Col Steve Lumley from 20 Works Group Royal Engineers and Stamford branch Royal British Legion chairman Ray Beresford.



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