LOYAL supporters of the Royal British Legion (RBL) came together to be presented with awards recognising them for their incredible fundraising efforts for the charity.

The Asda supermarket in Newstead Road, Weymouth, supports the Poppy Appeal every year and hosted a small ceremony for loyal supporters of the Legion in its store with certificates and badges presented by South Dorset MP Richard Drax.

Awards were presented to volunteers and supporters including Colin Powell, who has been volunteering for the Poppy Appeal for 60 years, Polly Hinds, who has been volunteering for 15 years, Jacqui Dixon, the Asda community champion, and the Weymouth Sea Cadets, which have been supporting the Poppy Appeal since 1937 and raised more than £1,800 for the RBL last year.

And, unbeknownst to Mr Drax, he was also presented an award from a local representative of the RBL for the support he has shown the charity for 10 years.

Mr Drax, who was an officer in the British Army, spoke of the importance of the appeal and paid tribute to the people that it helps each year.

He said: "These selfless people will go out every year in the wind and the rain, year in and year out, to raise money for the Legion. They are the best of the best. They are in my experiences typical of the people in Weymouth and Portland and I think we all owe them a huge debt of thanks. Certainly all those who benefit are extremely grateful for the help the Legion gives them."

Polly Hinds said the work the Legion did was 'absolutely brilliant'.

She said: "I have been volunteering for them for 15 years. I have a close connection to the Royal British Legion as both my parent were in the Second World War and my dad served in Dunkirk."

Poppy Appeal Organisers, Naomi Turner and Christine Simms, helped to organise the sale of poppies in the foyer of the supermarket chain six days a week day last year, as they do every year, from Friday, October 29 to Saturday, November 13.

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

The Royal British Legion’s community fundraiser for Dorset, Claire Wainwright, said: "Both Chris and Naomi who run the Weymouth area poppy appeal are absolute legends and represent the real spirit of our volunteers – dedicated, stoic and passionate for the charity and cause.

"They form the backbone of the appeal in the area and it is down to them that the community is so supportive. Year after year they raised thousands of pounds and we couldn’t raise a penny of it without their support and efforts."

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.

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.