THE organiser of the annual Poppyscotland appeal in Greenock has issued an appeal for local volunteers to throw their weight behind this year's campaign.

The plea came from Graeme Brooks as he set up his stall for this year's poppy appeal at the Tesco supermarket in Greenock.

Mr Brooks, who is the charity's area organiser for Greenock, says donations can make a big difference to veterans.

He said: "It is extremely important to support our veterans. We have 2,289 veterans in Inverclyde, which is a high percentage of the adult population.

"We raised £7,000 in Greenock alone last year through the Poppyscotland appeal.

"Poppyscotland offers a service whereby people can apply for support which is available throughout Scotland and also supports a number of other veterans' charities."

Graeme attended military college with the Royal Engineers when he left school but then pursued a career in the shipyards at Kincaid's.

He said: "I was the volunteer to the previous area organiser and then Poppy Scotland asked me to take on the role. This is my fourth year."

Graeme runs two stalls, one in Tesco and another in Morrisons, and said more and more people are choosing to make donations in the supermarket.

And he says that volunteer help is crucial in enabling people to support the charity while they're doing their weekly shop - particularly now that fewer people are routinely carrying cash to drop into a donation tin.

He said: "There cannot be a card reading machine at a stall without a volunteer present. That is why they are so valuable.

"We are looking for volunteers to man the two stalls for a two-hour period over the next fortnight."

Anyone who helps out in Tesco will get a free coffee in the in-store cafe.

If anyone is interested they should email graeme@spartacus.scot.

Last year's Poppy Appeal brought in almost £20,000 across Inverclyde as a whole - 20 per cent up on the total from 2022.

Money raised from the annual appeal helps Poppyscotland support thousands of men, women and families with issues linked to their time in the armed forces or who are struggling to adjust from military to civilian life.

The charity also funds services in advice, employment, housing, mental health, mobility and respite.

 

People can find out more and support the Scottish Poppy Appeal at www.poppyscotland.org.uk.