94 years of the Poppy Appeal: why the Royal British Legion needs you

(l) Sergeant Howard, a cavalryman in WW1; (r) Gunner Mark Stonelake from Torpoint, who lost his leg in a bombing in Afghanistan in 2008. Credit: Royal British Legion

Today marks the start of this year's Poppy Appeal. To commemorate the occasion the Royal British Legion has released striking photos contrasting First World War veterans with current servicemen and women - showing how its work has continued across 94 years.

This picture shows Sergeant Howard, a cavalryman in The Great War, alongside Gunner Mark Stonelake from Torpoint, Cornwall, who served with 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery. He had his left leg amputated in 2008 after his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in Afghanistan.

Gunner Stonelake spoke to us earlier about why he's so passionate about the Royal British Legion.

Gunner Stonelake was at Downing St today, where he gave a poppy to the Prime Minister. Credit: ITV News