ONE of Britain’s oldest military charities is appealing to people in Bradford to give up their spare time to take part in this year’s Poppy Appeal campaign in the district.

The Royal British Legion is on the lookout for volunteers to help with this year’s campaign, selling poppies and raising much needed funds for the charity.

The Poppy People campaign is a national recruitment drive for volunteers to take part in the Poppy Appeal, and is calling on local people to give up a few hours of their time ahead of Remembrance Sunday.

Money raised by the appeal goes towards providing help and support to the 6.2 million people in the UK’s Armed Forces community who are eligible for help from the Legion.

More than 350,000 poppy volunteers are needed across the country to raise money for serving armed forces personnel. veterans, and their families.

The charity it looking for enthusiastic people of all ages and background to help run the appeal in Bradford.

Debbie Westlake, the Legion’s community fundraiser for West Yorkshire, said: “We need approximately 40 additional volunteers across central Bradford, Low Moor, Wyke and Silsden this year to ensure we raise much-needed funds.

“Volunteering can provide great opportunities for those involved.

“It allows the chance to meet new people, learn new and transferable skills and be part of a team that helps the Armed Forces community and promotes understanding of Remembrance.

“We’d love all who want to volunteer with us to get in contact.”

Claire Rowcliffe, director of fundraising, added: “The Poppy Appeal is the Royal British Legion’s main fundraising event of the year.

“Our volunteers are very much the lifeblood of the Poppy Appeal and contribute enormously to the charity year-round through a variety of roles.

“The best thing about being a volunteer for the Legion is that we welcome all ages and all backgrounds, people don’t have to be associated with the Armed Forces, they just need to be passionate about the cause.”

People interested in volunteering in this year’s appeal, or for more information, contact Debbie Westlake on dwestlake@britishlegion.org.uk, or 07880 780207.

The start of this year’s Poppy Appeal in Bradford will be marked when the Lord Mayor of Bradford Councillor Abid Hussain is presented with the first poppy by the Legion,which is set to take place in mid-October.