Remembrance: Dorchester woman's spitfire poppy display

As you walk along Monmouth Road in Dorchester, just down from the Bakers Arms pub, you'll come across the incredible instillation - a Spitfire made entirely out of poppies.

It was the creation of Fiona Matthews, an art shop assistant, as part of her annual fundraiser for The Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund. 

The welfare charity provides current and former members of the RAF, their partners and families emotional and financial support. 

Mrs Matthews said: "This is the fourth year I've done this to raise money for the charity.

"My dad served in the air force in the sixties and seventies and although we never had cause to use it, I wanted to give something to them."

The project took nine months, recycling poppies from last year's creation. Last year, the display was dedicated to her father Bob Hooper who passed away from prostate cancer.

READ: Poppy display in Dorchester in honour of late RAF father

Mrs Matthews is continuing the tradition in her father's memory.

Spitfire display made out of poppies on Monmouth Road, Dorchester (Image: Fiona Matthews) One of her previous displays consisted of 5,500 poppies created from plastic bottles which appeared at Weymouth's Nothe Fort. 

This year, rather than her usual display of a wave of poppies down the window, the 56-year-old has decided to depict a Second World War Spitfire.

READ: Thousands of poppies made out of recycled bottles at Nothe Fort

She said: "I have a love of planes and wanted to do something a bit different.

"Everyone knows the iconic aircraft from the Second World War so it catches people's eye"

Mrs Matthews feels delighted with the support she has received so far for the project and has raised £100 out of her target of £500. 

She hopes to raise as much money as possible for the charity.

She said: "The response has been very positive and received lots of nice messages. Every little helps as charities nowadays are fighting to raise funds so just doing any bit myself is important. 

Fiona Matthews, 58, works at Herrings Art & Craft Shop (Image: Fiona Matthews) “I realise times are tough but every penny helps. Any little amount would be gratefully received.

"If you would like to make a donation you can go to the JustGiving page or can come to the house. There will be an envelope where you can put donations in and put it in the letter box."

Visitors can also help themselves to a copy of poem which Mrs Matthews writes every year to accompany the display. 

You can donate via her Justgiving page: https://tinyurl.com/46tza8rm