PETERSFIELD Poppy Appeal organisers are urging everyone to make sure they don’t miss out on a poppy.

In 2015 the money from selling poppies in the town contributed significantly to the £24,424 total collected in Petersfield and the surrounding villages.

Petersfield Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal co-ordinator Jeff Williams said: “It was a very generous total last year, and it all goes to servicemen, ex-servicemen, or their families and relatives, who are struggling or in need, either medically or in their day to day life.”

This year the British Legion has an eight day licence from East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) to sell poppies on the streets.

A council spokesman said other charities are limited to just two days per month in a year, and that the council will be collecting for the appeal at its offices in Penns Place.

In readiness for the annual fundraising drive volunteers have spent a fortnight preparing collecting tins and poppy trays in a garage behind Wetherspoons Red Lion pub in College Street.

As well as the street collecter’s kits, hundreds of poppy boxes have been assembled for shops, businesses and pubs in Petersfield, Buriton, East Meon, Froxfield, Privett, Sheet, Steep and Stroud.

From Saturday, October 22, the boxes are being delivered to their destinations in the town and villages, for the appeal launch on Saturday, October 29.

The start of the week long street collection is on Saturday, November 5, when Petersfield Air Cadets will be in the town with poppy trays and collecting tins.

Then for a week from Monday, November 7, a team of seven ladies will be selling poppies around the town.

Mr Williams said: “Five of them are from the WI, and two are just volunteers who wanted to help, and without these kind ladies it would be struggle to run the appeal.

“We are always keen to welcome ex-servicemen who want to help out, or join the British Legion, as the members helping with this years’ appeal are all in their mid-seventies.”

For more information about joining Petersfield Royal British Legion contact Jeff Williams on 07849 195702, or branch chairman Clive Lewis on 07787 826440.