HEREFORDSHIRE fundraisers have raised tens of thousands for the armed forces community.

The Royal British Legion’s Hereford City Poppy Appeal has been hailed a success after raising £69,836.65 thanks to the outstanding dedication and support of the Hereford Rotary Club’s, Anne Ellis, Stephanie Crowther and Ray Bayliss who stepped in to run the county’s Appeal in 2021.

Despite the limitations caused by the pandemic and the shortage of fundraisers, Anne, Steph and Ray, from Hereford Rotary rallied together to ensure the Legion’s Hereford city poppy appeal was still able to go ahead and raise essential funds for the armed forces community.

Community fundraiser for Hereford, Jane Harries, said: “We really are truly grateful for all the help and support we received from the Hereford Rotary. To raise such a huge amount in one of the UK’s smallest counties during a pandemic was an amazing effort on their part.

“The volunteers ensured that those who wanted to donate and purchase a poppy were able to and our reach was to cover Hereford City as best we could despite the challenges we faced. To raise £69,836.65 is more than we ever anticipated and so I would like to say a big thank you and congratulations to all who aided the Appeal.”

A representative from Hereford Rotary added: “We were extremely happy to help coordinate Hereford city’s poppy appeal and thank all the local shops, schools and individuals who helped raise such an outstanding amount, and look forward to supporting the 2022 Poppy Appeal”.

Having marked its 100th anniversary last year, the RBL is now looking to build on the success of last year’s appeal and is now looking for new poppy appeal organisers and volunteers to cover several areas across the county.

Since the pandemic, the RBL have seen a reduction in the number of collectors, with many still anxious about returning to their normal way of life, but the RBL still has a job to do, and the charity is optimistic for the year ahead. This means that they are in need of more volunteers to help run this year’s appeal and help the charity ensure it can carry on providing essential support.

Jane said: “The RBL’s work is even more vital than ever as we support people from all generations who have new hardships as a result of Covid -19, which has had a devastating impact on people’s livelihoods right across Herefordshire, leaving some in our armed forces community in dire need of help and support.”

“Our volunteers are more important than ever. Every year they play a critical role across the city to meet the huge public demand for our poppies, the nation’s symbol of remembrance.

“The Appeal raises about half of the funds we need for our welfare work every year, and anyone who volunteers will receive lots of support and enjoyment from taking part.”

Anyone who would like to volunteer this year can email JHarries@britishlegion.org.uk.