More volunteers needed for this year's Gwent Poppy Appeal

Each year more than 350,000 poppy volunteers are needed across the country to raise much-needed funds to support current and former Armed Forces personnel, and their families.

The Legion is looking for people of all ages and backgrounds from Gwent to help run the Poppy Appeal in communities across the region.

Long-standing appeal coordinator Mike Jones, 60, from the Marshfield branch, said: “We are looking for any help that we can get right across the Gwent area.

"I would appeal to people if they can spare us as little as one hour or two, to a morning, afternoon or day even.

"We would appreciate their help in collecting for this year’s appeal.

"I would also like to ask any groups organisations or societies if they could help as a group.

"For example in my branch area, which is Marshfield and district, the local Women’s Institute help us out at the local supermarket, where we set up the table and they organise shifts covering whole days doing an hour or so each in pairs."

The Gwent Poppy Appeal coordinators are trying to raise even more money than in 2014/2015 - when an astonishing £341,699.16 was raised.

This was a 4.7 per cent increase from 2013/2014, which saw £297,443.53 flood in.

“We’re happy with the results, but we still think we can improve,” said Mr Jones, the vice chairman of the Royal British Legion in Gwent. “More money is needed to support them and their families.”

Lynne Woodyatt, the Royal British Legion’s community fundraiser for South East and Mid Wales, said: “We have around 26 volunteer Poppy Appeal Organisers in Gwent who organise teams of volunteers to cover their area and supermarkets.

"Lots of our volunteers have supported us for many years and many are veterans themselves.

“Unfortunately over the last few years our volunteer numbers have dropped due to age, and ill health and many are no longer as mobile as they once were, so we are looking to recruit volunteers to assist our existing volunteers, with the collections and distribution of boxes.

“We also we need volunteers to take on the role of Poppy Appeal organisers in areas such as Cwm so that the Poppy Appeal will continue in the smaller towns and villages throughout the valleys.”

Mr Jones, from Penperlleni, who was in the royal engineers from 1971 to 1978, has been involved with the Royal British Legion since 1988.

He’s the organiser of The Great Gwent Poppy Run, which will be taking place near Penpergwm on Sunday November 6 this year.

Last year, the event raised more than £2,600.

The run is across country course with obstacles over farmland on the banks of the river Usk and around10km.

This year, in recognition of the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, the theme is Back to the Trenches.

Participants choose to join the notional teams of the Borderers of Fusiliers and they will get their free technical Tee-shirt of the appropriate colour on the day to run in.

They will also get a free specially designed Wales RBL goody bag.

There are only 100 places and the closing date for registrations is October 16.

Entry costs £27.50. A child over 12 accompanied by a full paying adult can enter the race for free.

All profits go to the Poppy Appeal.

To enter, visit britishlegion.org.uk/greatgwentrun

Anyone interested in supporting the Royal British Legion contact Mike Jones on 07875089933 or e mail at majones@britishlegion.org.uk