PEOPLE in Oxfordshire are being urged to help break the £500,000 barrier for the first time as this year’s Poppy Appeal is launched today.

The record total to date for the appeal in the county was £492,189 in 2011/12, coinciding with the Royal British Legion’s 90th anniversary.

Last year a total of £482,367 was raised across Oxfordshire and RBL bosses are hoping the centenary of the start of the First World War will help them to beat the all-time record.

Mark Garwood, Oxfordshire’s community fundraiser for the RBL, said: “The centenary makes this a very special year and I would like to think that means people will give even more generously than usual.

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“Reaching £500,000 is our target and there will be hundreds of collectors out and about across the county from today trying to achieve that target.”

Last night Mr Garwood, below, 36, a dad-of-two from Carterton, was at Langdale Hall in Witney, preparing to distribute thousands of poppies for the appeal.

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One of the most dedicated volunteers is father-of-three Jim Lewendon, 85, the chairman of the Oxfordshire RBL branch.

He has been selling poppies for 41 years and although he is stepping down from his role as chairman in February, he will not stop rattling tins for the Poppy Appeal.

Mr Lewendon, of Girdlestone Road, Headington, said: “People give generously every year, but I’m hoping there will be something extra this year because it’s the centenary of the First World War.

“People remember the fallen from the two world wars but they are also remembering those who lost their lives in more recent conflicts like Afghanistan.

“It’s very important that people keep on giving because we need to support these lads and their families.

“It’s very rewarding when people come up and put money in the tin.

“I’m hoping the turnout in St Giles for the Remembrance parade will be even more impressive than usual.”

The message behind this year’s Poppy Appeal is Live On, to the memory of the fallen and future of the living.

RBL national director of fundraising Charles Byrne said: “The Poppy Appeal 2014 embraces the dual role of the RBL as the custodians of Remembrance and provider of welfare support to the armed forces community.

“The poppy is a powerful symbol which is worn to commemorate all those who have fought and died in our armed forces and show support for those still serving today, and their loved ones.

“We are encouraging people to dig deep for this year’s Poppy Appeal to help us raise £40m, so we can continue providing our vital support to individuals whether they are still serving or going back into civilian life. We are also supporting their families too.”

  • THE BIGGER THE BETTER

THINK big — that was the message from staff at the Defence Movements School at RAF Brize Norton as they helped to launch this year’s Poppy Appeal in Oxfordshire.

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Members of the Defence Movements School at Brize Norton with the 5ft diameter replica poppy

Flight Sergeant Jane Corban, from the base’s community support team, working with Squadron Leader David Ward, challenged DMS staff and students to create a 5ft diameter replica poppy and load it on to the ramp of a C130 Hercules transport aircraft.

The Defence Movements School employs staff from all three services, and created the giant poppy to promote the launch of this year’s appeal.

 

  • EX-SERVICEMAN'S GRANT TO REPLACE BOILER

    WHEN Brian Hathaway was completing his National Service in 1959, he fell 15ft from a rope during a physical training session.

    The accident smashed his elbow and wrist leaving him with only partial use of his left arm. On Christmas Day last year Mr Hathaway’s oil-fired central heating boiler broke down and was replaced thanks to a £1,000 donation from the RBL. In the interim Mr Hathaway, below, and his wife had had to make do with electric heaters.

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Father-of-three and grandfather-of-six Mr Hathaway, 77, who lives with Sylvia, 78, in Appleton, near Didcot, said: “We got a grant of £1,000 from the RBL as I am an ex-serviceman and it helped go towards the repair costs.

“I am registered disabled so the rest of the money we needed came from county council grants.”

The retired farm machine repairer added: “We really appreciate the help of the RBL and people who donate to the Poppy Appeal.

“It would be lovely if people gave generously again this year. I’ll certainly be wearing my poppy with pride.”

 

  • ‘IT'S ABSOLUTELY AMAZING THAT PEOPLE CAN BE SO GENEROUS’

DAVID Crabbe is in charge of about 50 collectors for the RBL’s Bicester and District branch Poppy Appeal.

He is now in his third year of volunteering and is hoping the collectors will beat last year’s total of £33,500.

Mr Crabbe, below, served in the Army from 1964 to 1995 and is a retired Major from the Royal Army Ordance Corps.

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He served in the Far East, Europe and Northern Ireland.

Father-of-two and grandfather-of-two Mr Crabbe, 68, who lives with wife Dawn, said: “I organise the town’s collectors but I go out and collect donations myself when I get the chance.

“I’m hoping people will give generously this year as it’s the centenary of the start of the First World War. People do usually give very generously anyway because this is a garrison town – sometimes people put in £20 notes.

“Everyone is very supportive and it’s absolutely amazing that people can be so generous.”

 

 

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