Generous Spalding residents have helped a retiring fundraiser provide nearly a quarter of a million pounds to The Poppy Appeal in the last decade, including £23,000 around the 2018 Remembrance Day.
Peter Lyon has run the appeal for the Spalding branch of the Royal British Legion for the last ten years but is stepping down from the role due to ill health.
It’s not stopped the Poppy Appeal collecting the donations of £23,000 which a spokesman said had “exceeded their expectations”.
Frank White, chairman of Spalding Royal British Legion said: “We are very grateful to everyone which contributed this year at this special time for this important cause, whether it was just copper coins or larger denomination notes.
“All proceeds go towards the care and assistance of any forces veteran, or their family, who has fallen on hard times and who needs help.
“We are especially grateful to all those helpers who filled the breach when our Poppy Appeal Organiser, Peter Lyon was taken ill late last year.
“We wish him every good wish for a speedy recovery and thank him for the wonderful efforts he has put in over the years, so much so that the team he created have done such a sterling job in his
absence.”
With regards the £23,000 raised this year, a spokesman for the branch of the RBL said: “This is a tremendous figure and one which significantly exceeds expectations.
“We are so grateful for the continued support of everyone locally who contributed to this universally recognised forces charity.
“This of course reflects the generosity of the people of Spalding as well as the loyalty of the many shops and businesses who allow Poppy Appeal boxes on their premises and also it reflects the commitment of the many collection volunteers.
“The Spalding branch has exciting plans this year which will be announced in due course; it intends to establish an online presence as well as raise its profile throughout the year in the town, not just in November.
“The work for our veterans is continual and sadly the requirements for funding their care is never ending so any help or contribution is invaluable whatever the time of year.”
The Spalding branch remains keen to attract new members, you do not have to be ex Services to join. They meet on the second Wednesday of each month at their Spalding HQ: 35B Spring Gardens at 6pm.
