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Poppy Appeal: remembering war veterans and soldiers
Dedicated husband and wife duo George and Catherine Bennett will be braving the chill and parking up in Cathedral Square in a caravan to kick off this year's Royal British Legion's poppy appeal in Peterborough.
Dedicated husband and wife duo George and Catherine Bennett will be braving the chill and parking up in Cathedral Square in a caravan to kick off this year's Royal British Legion's poppy appeal in Peterborough.Last year, the pair, as well as generous donors throughout the city, helped raise a record-breaking 70,000 – and if their boundless enthusiasm is anything to go by, they are likely to top that this year.
Their drivers – all volunteers – have been busy delivering collection boxes to shops, schools and other organisations across Peterborough.
And today, the Bennetts, who are joint organisers of Peterborough's Poppy Appeal, will take up residence in the city centre for eight days to dish out red poppies and give war veterans and serving soldiers a vital lifeline.
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Mrs Bennett (53) revealed that the planning for the appeal started way back in January – and they were raring to get going.
She said: "We've been lucky this year with drivers.
"These people are all volunteers, and a lot of them refuse help for petrol.
"This year, we have had a lot of drivers turn up. They have been brilliant."
This year's event will also hold extra significance for the campaign.
Former president of the Peterborough branch of the Royal British Legion Ernie Morris passed away last Friday, and his funeral will be held on Friday.
He was a mechanic with the RAF and based in the Middle East during the Second World War, and Mrs Bennett is planning a poignant tribute for him.
She said: "I will be holding a minute's silence for him at the caravan. I thought about closing it so I could go to the funeral, but Ernie wouldn't have wanted that. He did the poppy appeal every year.
"He was a very well respected gentleman. He used to be president at one time. He had been doing the appeal for more than 50 years, and wanted to carry on doing it.
"In the last year, he was so ill, he couldn't leave the house. But he wanted to help, so we got him in his wheelchair and took him down to the counting station.
"He was over the moon that he had done his bit."
Mrs Bennett, who is also welfare secretary for the Royal British Legion, said seeing how the cash was used was one of the reasons she got involved.
She said: "One of the enjoyable parts for me is seeing where the money goes.
"It could be someone whose cooker has blown up and they are living on cold soup.
"The money is all spent on the welfare of ex-servicemen, women and those serving today."
As well as thanking all the volunteers past and present and Pioneer Caravans, which provides the caravan, Mrs Bennett urged former and serving squaddies in need to get in touch.
She said: "Some of these people are very proud and don't want to ask for charity.
"But I tell them that they did a lot for this country, so now it's time for them to get something back."
If you are an ex-serviceman or a member of a serviceman's family and would like welfare advice, call 01733 757082.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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