THOUSANDS of pounds were raised at a supermarket in Weymouth for this year's Poppy Appeal.

Donations from customers at the Asda on Newstead Road in Weymouth raised an impressive total of £6,650 for this year's Poppy Appeal.

Poppy Appeal campaigners Naomi Turner and Christine Simms helped to sell poppies in the foyer of the supermarket chain every day from Friday, October 29 to Saturday, November 13, except on Sundays.

Ms Simms said selling off the tables was tiring work but said it was all worth it to raise the large sum of money for the Royal British Legion (RBL).

Christine Simms said: "I would just like thank the customers of Asda in Weymouth for the kind donations during this year's poppy appeal. Also, a big thank you to the manager and staff, especially Mrs Jacquie Dixon, the community colleague, for making myself and Naomi feel so welcome. Not forgetting Mr Richard Drax MP for his time and support.

"Together we raised £6,650.07 so a very big thank you once again."

Last year the Covid-19 pandemic impeded the Poppy Appeal which is the RBL’s biggest fundraising campaign as volunteers were unable to carry out face to face collections anywhere across the UK.

This year marked 100 years of the Royal British Legion, which also celebrated the return of its Poppy Appeal, which typically sees the sale of more than 40 million poppies - usually taking place at stations, churches, offices, schools and factories across Britain.

The charity was formed in the aftermath of the First World War to fight for the rights of those who had given so much and come back to so little. Today, the RBL continues to provide life-changing help and support to the Armed Forces community and challenge injustices on their behalf.

This year, we at the Dorset Echo are appealing to our readers to donate to the RBL by visiting dorsetecho.co.uk/RBL or sending a cheque payable to Dorset Echo in an envelope clearly marked ‘RBL donation’ and mailing it to Dorset Echo, Fleet House, Hampshire Road, Weymouth, Dorset, DT4 9XD.