Donations grow as teamsets poppy appeal record

The Purbrook Horticultural Society was recently presented with the Waterlooville Poppy Collectors’ Cup for its members’ efforts during last year’s collection.

Led by Brian Andrews, the team collected the record amount in Lidl, Cowplain, making it their highest total since Mr Andrews started organising the collection there about five years ago.

Mr Andrews said: ‘I volunteered to help because I believe that those who have served their country as well as their families deserve all the support we can give them, and I’m sure all the collectors feel the same.

‘It’s very pleasing and encouraging that so many customers have continued to support us over the years and we are grateful to the staff at Lidl for allowing us to collect there every year.’

The total for the 2015-2016 poppy appeal collection in Waterlooville has so far reached £28,059.

Richard Hill Brown, poppy appeal organiser for Waterlooville, said: ‘After raising a bumper total of £25,428 in 2014, I did not believe that Waterlooville could beat it.

‘I would like to thank everyone who made this possible, especially the people of Waterlooville for their great generosity and all the establishments which had a collection tin on their counters.

‘Also, to the four supermarkets in Waterlooville – Lidl, ASDA, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose – who made collectors so welcome in their foyers during the appeal.

‘I’d also like to thank all the volunteers who collected in those supermarkets and in the precinct.

‘This includes the Purbrook Allotment Society and members of T.S. Alacrity, ACF platoons from Purbrook and Horndean and the Waterlooville ATC Squadron.

‘And a special thank you to the Waterlooville schools who also raised their own record amount of £3,733.’

Mr Hill Brown is appealing for a deputy organiser to help him. If interested email [email protected].