The Royal British Legion fundraiser who is a lifeline for veterans

Video report by ITV News Meridian's Sarah Saunders

Three months ago, we began our search for the ITV Meridian Fundraiser of the Year, as part of the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards.

Hundreds of you nominated wonderful fundraisers from your communities. All this week, we will tell you about our region's finalists and on Friday (October 1), we'll be crowning one of them as the Meridian winner.

All year round, volunteer Christine Walton can be found raising money for the Royal British Legion and their Poppy Appeal.

Christine cannot do enough to help the veterans in Dover and the former armed personnel she works with say, by taking the time to lend a listening ear and lend a hand in a time of need, she has saved at least one life.Christine sets up many events in the town to give veterans a chance to catch up and connect.

Christine said: "I'll tell you how I started doing it... I went on this battlefield tour and saw all these graves and on them there was the words 'known only to God'.

"It really got to me because I thought as a parent, sending your child like that, and I know that will never ever happen again, but still our armed forces are doing all they can for this country, whether it's in conflicts or even emptying the bins, they're always there for us and they will always will be there for us and I just feel they deserve the best."

She has raised tens of thousands of pounds for the Dover branch of the Royal British Legion, in her distinctive waistcoat she takes her Poppy Appeal tin everywhere.

Apart from fundraising relentlessly, Christine is on hand if there are other things veterans need, if they are lonely, if they need a walking stick or a wheelchair, Christine is there.

Christine has a motto - here to help, raise money, lend an ear, save a life.

Her aim is that no veteran is left behind, alone or in need.