ELLESMERE and district’s Poppy Appeal has reached a record total for the second time in two years.

Nearly £13,000 has been raised since October – £600 more than in the whole of the previous year – and with more fundraising planned, the total is set to go even higher before this year’s appeal ends in September.

Appeal organiser Lynn Howard said she was “touched and overwhelmed” by the generosity of the community.

“It’s been an amazing response – the people of our little town and the neighbouring villages have once again shown fantastic support, especially in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday when we commemorated the centenary of the Armistice,” she said.

“On behalf of the local branch of the Royal British Legion I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who donated money or helped with fund-raising.”

Local businesses, shopkeepers, schools and other organisations have supported the appeal and a small team of volunteers carried out house-to-house collections. The Legion’s annual Poppy Concert at Ellesmere Comrades Club brought in more than £800 and funds raised by the creation of a garden of peace and remembrance outside the town’s library – Our Space – resulted in a £250 boost for the appeal.

The garden was the idea of library assistant Sally Poynton, who encouraged schoolchildren, clubs, businesses and individuals to contribute hand-made floral displays to mark the centenary of the end of the First World War and commemorate those from Ellesmere and district who gave their lives.

Events included a table-top sale, quiz night and selling refreshments at the town’s weekly market, carnival, regatta and summer and winter festivals.

Legion branch chairman Ian Williams, said: “The Royal British Legion has been in existence since 1921, supporting for the armed forces community – servicemen and women, veterans, and their families.“We are tremendously grateful to our local community for their unstinting generosity. The money raised locally will help enormously in continuing our vital work to ensure that those involved in keeping our country safe and secure get the financial support and other resources that they deserve whenever it’s required. “Recent conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and other trouble-spots have left many without loved ones, service personnel with physical and mental health issues and families in need of assistance. It’s really heartening to know the people of Ellesmere recognise this and haven’t forgotten.”

“As a branch, our numbers are dwindling as many of our members become elderly and infirm. We would very much welcome younger people coming forward to help us with fundraising – you don’t have to have served in the forces to be a Legion member.”

Branch meetings are held at Ellesmere Comrades Club at 7.30pm on the first Tuesday of every month, except January.

For more information, contact Ian Williams on 01691 624258.