Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall launch Poppy Appeal
Video report from ITV News Meridian's Penny Silvester
Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall launched this year's appeal at Clarence House, meeting poppy sellers who will be back on the streets from today (28th October).
Among them, the Mayor of Bournemouth, who has been a poppy seller for fourteen years.
Street collections were cancelled last year because of Coronavirus. Bill Tyack from Fleet is one such collector. He was in the Royal Air Force for 37 years.
Bill Tyack - Fleet & Crookham Royal British Legion
He said: "Many many of our young men and women serving in the armed services have suffered mentally and physically in recent conflict and they'll need support for years to come. I feel it is a real privilege to be able to raise money to help them."
In Wokingham they took advantage of empty buildings in the town centre to create a pop-up poppy shop.
David Dunham from the Wokingham Poppy Appeal, said: "It's been especially good this year to have a shop to use as well as collecting outside. There are servicemen all over the world and their families who need support."
Public give their reaction to the launch of the Poppy Appeal
Members of the public gave their reaction to the launch of the appeal: "I had family that fought in both wars and I think it's important to show respect."
"I think it is an important mark of respect."
"I did spend a bit of time in the forces and I always like to remember the people who've fallen."
The Royal British Legion charity was set up to help veterans who were injured or suffering hardship after the Great War, and welfare remains its guiding principle.
It offers emotional and financial support to members of Britain's armed forces. The South East regional appeal was launched in Windsor this afternoon (28th October).
Poppy sellers said they were delighted to be back.
Graham Ferris - South East Royal British Legion
Graham Ferris, from the South East Royal British Legion, said: "We've had lots of enquiries from our volunteers about getting back on the streets."
Speaking at the launch of the appeal, Prince Charles said wearing a simple poppy recognises the unique contribution of the Armed Forces community.