This year’s local Poppy Appeal has been launched at a St Albans bank with hopes of surpassing the total raised for the Royal British Legion in 2014.

Herts Advertiser: Don Dell, Wendy Dell & Manny Bloomer with staff from Natwest Bank at the Poppy Appeal launch.Don Dell, Wendy Dell & Manny Bloomer with staff from Natwest Bank at the Poppy Appeal launch. (Image: Archant)

Poppy Appeal coordinator for the Legion’s St Albans branch, Don Dell, said that the NatWest bank in St Peter’s Street had joined fundraising efforts throughout the district in memory of the fallen and the future of the living

The annual campaign, which ends on November 11, involves volunteers at shops, pubs, restaurants and in the city centre helping to raise money to provide advice and support for thousands of modern veterans, servicemen, women and their families.

Don said: “We are hoping to raise £80,000 this year, to pass the £76,000 we raised last year.”

There is even a special Poppy Appeal-themed cake up for grabs in a raffle at the NatWest branch.