The Royal British Legion is appealing for new volunteers to help run its annual Poppy Appeal in Hampshire to raise vital funds to help veterans, current serving personnel, and their families who have served and sacrificed for their country.

The charity, which organises the Poppy Appeal every autumn, relies on more than 3,500 dedicated volunteers to help deliver the appeal across the UK each year.

The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal was first held in the aftermath of the First World War in 1921, where red silk poppies were sold, raising over £106,000.

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This year’s Remembrance poppy has been given a make-over and will now be completely plastic-free and easily recycled. The new poppies will be sold alongside stock of the original poppy.

The Royal British Legion says all volunteers will be fully trained and the role can help people develop skills such as public speaking and building confidence, and will allow you to make new friends, and be part of a national appeal.

In the year to September 2022, people in the Armed Forces community in Hampshire have received more than 450 grants from Royal British Legion, totalling more than £340,000 to help with everything from housing, the cost of living, help with their mobility and getting back to work.

Sisters Jenny Spray and Marion Drew have been involved in the Poppy Appeal in Hampshire for over 10 years, where they are the third generation of Poppy collectors in their family.

The sister’s parents were collectors for the Poppy Appeal for over 60 years, and their grandfather was also a member of a local RBL branch. The pair are now a duo of Poppy Appeal Organisers for Tadley.

Jenny said: "Since volunteering for the Poppy Appeal I have become more involved in the local community and have developed skills such as organisation and delegation. The Poppy to me is a symbol of those who gave their lives in the wars, and the hope for a peaceful future.”

Community Fundraiser for the Royal British Legion in Hampshire, Sarah Ferris, said: "We would encourage anyone who is interested in volunteering for the Poppy Appeal in Hampshire to get in touch with us to find out more.

“If you are looking for a more active part in the Appeal, we would love to have you as the Poppy Appeal Organiser for Fareham, Farnborough, or Ringwood. This role is crucial to delivering the appeal in the city and includes distributing poppy boxes, organising a team of dedicated volunteers, and counting money.”

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“If you are well organised with excellent time management, capable of leading a small team, able to build key relationships and have strong verbal and written communications, a Poppy Appeal Organiser role may be perfect for you.”

Today the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal is the charity’s biggest fundraising campaign and takes place every year in the run-up to Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.

To find out more and get involved with volunteering for the Poppy Appeal, visit rbl.org.uk/poppyappealvolunteer or call 0345 845 1945.