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from Daily Mirror Friday 10 November 2000

FLOODS LEAVE POPPY APPEAL WASHED OUT
Struggle to reach £20m target

HOPES of raising a record £20 million in this year's Poppy Appeal have been dashed by the floods.

The Royal British Legion is desperately hoping the storms recede so collectors can get out to sell their 35 million poppies.

President Lt Gen Sir Roddy Cordy-Simpson warned yesterday: "The weather is having an impact which is sad.

"We depend on the weather to get all our 300,000 collectors out on the streets as well as carrying out house-to-house collections - and that's just not been possible at the moment.

"We are watching the weather very carefully and hoping for the best."

Last year's appeal raised a record £18.6million. The Legion set its sights even higher this year to meet increasing costs.

It is hoping the weather improves for the two-minute silence to mark Armistice Day on Saturday at 11am, and for Remembrance Sunday.

Sir Roddy, the former Director of NATO Operations in Bosnia, said: "We are keeping our fingers crossed."

He urged youngsters to dig deep for the Appeal which needs more money than ever before.

Sir Roddy said: "People think fewer people need help but the number is actually increasing.

"Since 1945 there has only been one year, 1968 when we have not lost a serviceman in action.

"It is the hardest thing to persuade young people it isn't just about World War Two veterans.

"But there is huge interest in Remembrance Day across all generations which is fantastic."

Russell Thompson, controller of fund raising, said: "People are very generous and we're trying to make sure the poppies are available. We hope everyone will be wearing a poppy this weekend."

More than a quarter of the population can call on the Legion for help.

It provides support for 1.4million veterans of the Second World War, plus those from the Falklands, the Gulf, Bosnia, Rwanda and Kosovo, and their dependents.

Money raised helps pay for everything from 24 hour nursing care and convalescent homes, to helping widows visit their husband's graves abroad

Donations can be made online at www.poppy.org.uk or by calling 0845 845 1945.