REMEMBRANCE Day this year falls on Sunday, with services in Redditch at St Stephen's Church in the town centre and St Matthias and St George's Church in Astwood Bank.

May I take the opportunity, through the pages of your newspaper, to urge everyone to support however they can this year's Royal British Legion Appeal.

This year is the 83rd Anniversary of the Royal British Legion, during which time the Poppy Appeal has helped to fund the legion's work to deliver a caring service for the benefit of the ex-service community in need continuously since 1921.

Once again, the Royal British Legion will play a central role in helping the families of British servicemen who have died in service.

More people are approaching the legion for help than ever before and the need for public service is as great as ever.

You can also show your support by observing the two minutes' silence at 11am tomorrow.

The Royal British Legion is also actively working to recruit volunteers to help with the collection. If you wish to volunteer your services, contact your local legion office.

The Poppy Appeal supports those who have defended our country or helped to keep the peace with the United Nations in other parts of the world. Today, British servicemen and women are playing a vital role as part of the UN peacekeeping force all around the world.

When they leave the forces the Poppy Appeal will be there for them and their dependants, as it is for the veterans of the two World Wars, the Gulf, the Falklands and many other conflicts.

The Appeal plays a key part in the legion's fund-raising efforts and is essential for its work. They are entirely reliant on public support for funding and all money raised by the Poppy Appeal goes directly to support the Royal British Legion's charitable work.

Please give what you can when you see the poppy sellers to help them to help people who have given so much to preserve our security and freedom.

Cllr Jack Cookson

Mayor

Redditch Borough Council