A POPPY appeal which almost folded two years ago has beaten its own target to raise £22,450.

The Northallerton branch of the British Legion set a challenge of breaking the £20,000 barrier after raising £19,400 last year.

Organiser Ruby Davison said: "We were so overwhelmed, it’s absolutely brilliant, we just wanted to thank every one who gave to the appeal and also so many people who helped us raise this money.”

Mrs Davison stepped in to keep the appeal going in 2014 after no one originally volunteered to take over.

She said: “I am so pleased I did, so many people have helped, the Lionesses from Northallerton, along with the Army and Air Cadets and staff from RAF Leeming and of course the Ladies and members of the British Legion.

"We put out up to 170 boxes in pubs and schools and shops and it is very rewarding when you go round to pick them up and people have been so generous.

“We also received £1,000 from Northallerton Amateur Variety Company who staged a Wartime Memories concert, which was absolutely fantastic. They’re also giving a similar donation to Help for Heroes.

"When you get this kind of support it makes all the hard work worthwhile."