POPPY Appeal stalwarts are urging others to join them for the Royal British Legion’s annual campaign.

In the year that marks 100 years since the end of the First World War, the Legion is calling on people to offer spare time to distribute poppies for donations.

Community fundraiser Tina Pringle said: “It’s our biggest fundraising campaign and in 2017 we raised just over £130,000 in Bolton thanks to the dedication of our volunteers.”

Christine Berry, 50, has been the Legion’s Poppy Appeal Organiser for Astley Bridge for two years. The Army Cadet instructor helps out by arranging for the cadets to collect at supermarkets, delivering poppy tins to local schools and businesses and ordering poppy wreaths for Remembrance Day events.

She said: “I have a special interest in the Forces as my children have served and are still serving. My role is very rewarding as you get to meet lots of interesting people — I just love chatting to all veterans and hearing about their experiences, it’s fascinating and shows how passionate they are about their service.

“I hope more people will join my team this year.”

The money raised helps the Legion to support serving personnel, veterans and their dependants in a variety of ways such as helping them to manage their debts, funding specialist equipment to aid veterans injured in conflict and sending Forces families on much-needed holidays at Poppy Break Centres.

Volunteers of any age can volunteer for the Legion, although under-16s will need to be accompanied by an adult.

To find out more, contact Tina Pringle on 07920 294794.