Members of the Royal British Legion are finalising preparations for this year’s poppy appeal, which launches on Saturday (October 25).

The Newton Abbot branch of the Royal British Legion took delivery of their stock of poppies from Aylesford in Kent on October 9. This included 324 boxes of poppies, 112 wreaths, along with merchandise such as car poppies and wrist bands.

Since then, a team of four have been assembling boxes and organising the wreaths for delivery around Newton Abbot, Bovey Tracey, Shaldon, Kingskerswell, Denbury, Ogwell, Ipplepen and Broadhempston.

‘The preparation takes around 4-5 days,’ commented Newton Abbot Royal British Legion chair and poppy appeal organiser Richard Underhill MBE MSM. ‘There is, of course, much paperwork that needs to be completed as each box has to be accounted for from delivering to return back to us,’ he added.

On deliver, each location has a coordinator to collect the boxes and wreaths and distribute them to schools, shops, pubs, community groups and organisations.

Newton Abbot Royal British Legion also operates static sites at Trago Mills and in Sainsburys and Asda, which have a full selection of poppies and merchandise and are attended by volunteers full-time throughout the poppy appeal.

This year, Newton Abbot Royal British Legion has 11 volunteers but would welcome additional help.

‘Over the 11 years I have been doing the Poppy Appeal we average between £35,000 and £40,000,’ Richard noted.

As well as showing support for the service and sacrifice of those who have served their country, money raised from the Poppy Appeal goes is used to support the armed forces community in numerous ways such as through care, financial support and rehabilitation.

Elsewhere in Newton Abbot, retailers are designing window displays to commemorate Remembrance Day. Judges will view the displays on Saturday November 8 and the winner will be presented with a trophy.