THE Royal British Legion is appealing for new volunteers to help run its annual Poppy Appeal in Bishopston and Horfield.
The charity, which organises the Poppy Appeal every October and November, relies on more than 3,500 volunteers across the UK each year.
The RBL says all volunteers will be fully trained and the role can help people develop skills such as public speaking and building confidence, as well as supporting people in the armed forces who have served and sacrificed.
Anyone interested in finding out more about being a volunteer can contact the Royal British Legion on a dedicated helpline 0345 845 1945, or online at rbl.org.uk/poppyappealvolunteer.
Louise Dolen, Poppy Appeal manager in Bristol and south Gloucestershire, said that as well as seeking poppy sellers, she was looking for people to act as appeal organisers – distributing poppy boxes, organising volunteer teams and counting money.
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.
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.
This year’s Remembrance poppy has been given a make-over and will now be plastic-free and easily recycled. The new poppies will be sold alongside stock of the original poppy.