THIS year’s Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal starts on Saturday, October 28, and collections will be taken until November 11 – the day before Remembrance Sunday.

East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds, together with district councillor Angela Glass, will be helping Colonel Jimmy Jack to start the appeal in Sainsbury’s foyer at 9am.

Colonel Jack, who runs the Bramshott and Liphook British Legion appeal, said: “Last year’s collection raised £14,574.56, of which £5,043.23 was raised in Sainsbury with an additional three collection boxes in the store. Please help by giving even more this year to those who really need your support.”

There will be 140 collection boxes distributed beforehand to shops, schools and offices in the parish, as well as house-to-house collections, which take place during the two-week Poppy Appeal.

More disabled former service personnel, bereaved widows and their families now need help, provision of adequate medical and surgical care, support for families of the dead and wounded, and provision of legal advice as well as representation at inquests and awards.

Mr Hinds will be at Sainsbury’s supermarket, on Midhurst Road, between 9am and 10am next Saturday, and more collections will take place at the store on the following two Saturdays, from 9am-5pm.

A Remembrance Day service will be held at St Mary’s Church, Bramshott, on Sunday, November 12, starting at 10.30am, where wreaths will be laid in honour of the fallen. Everyone is welcome to attend.