Last year's appeal raised over £30 million, thanks to the generosity of the public and the invaluable support of the many thousands volunteers.
Since 1921, The Royal British Legion's mission has been to help those members of the serving the ex-service community who needed it. Eighty seven years on and the Legion continues to safeguard the welfare, interests and memory of those who are serving, or who have served their country. The Poppy Appeal provides the main source of funds to maintain the Legion's many welfare and benevolent schemes in which over 300,000 people are helped each year.
Following a detailed analysis of the ex-service community and their needs the Legion is developing a welfare programme to reflect the findings of this report. This will involve reaching out to many more people who are entitled to their help and also introducing additional welfare services. Inevitably this exciting and very necessary programme will be costly and so it will be more important than ever that the Poppy Appeal increases to contribute to the overall fundraising programme.
The Royal British Legion is again undertaking a 'Poppy People' campaign to attract new Poppy Appeal volunteers. Anyone over 16 years of age can help, they only need to ring 0800 085 5924.
The people of Leeds are well known for their generosity and I feel sure that they will respond again this year and provide a major contribution to the appeal and I should like to thank them in advance for their continued support.
COUN FRANK ROBINSON
Lord Mayor of Leeds