Sir.–Hampshire Royal British Legion is currently counting the results of the recent Poppy Appeal which, by all accounts, will reach a record level and hopefully will achieve a county target of £1.4million.

Nationally, it is hoped to raise some £40m to support the ever-increasing workload of the Royal British Legion which has to spend some £1.4m each week to support its many and varied essential services to service personnel, their departments and ex-service personnel.

My purpose in writing is two-fold. Firstly, to say a very big thank-you to the Poppy Appeal organisers throughout the county, to those who donated so very generously and particularly to the schools, and the uniformed youth organisations who were so evident at the many Remembrance Sunday Services and parades.

Secondly, we must remind ourselves that while the Royal British Legion has been ‘shoulder-to-shoulder’ in its mission for the last 90 years, it is quite clear that it will be providing the same caring service for many years to come, working in partnership with other like charities, particularly during a period of time when resources at every level will be limited.

The Royal British Legion does not ‘disappear’ after November, but carries on year in year out, as does the ongoing Poppy Appeal.

–Roy Farmers, County President, Hampshire Royal British Legion, Copythorne, Southampton.