THE Richmond branch of the Royal British Legion has celebrated raising more than £15,000 in 2019.

The organisation held its annual Poppy Appeal dinner at the Catterick Golf Club last Thursday, where the Poppy Appeal organiser, Bob White, announced the collection in 2019 poppy fortnight raised £15,137.58.

Branch trophies were also awarded by the Mayor of Richmond, Councillor Johnathan Preece for a special event, which went to Moira White for the Poppies on the Tower.

Project leader Mrs White said: "I was overwhelmed by the response, it was amazing. I received poppies from all over the country – even a batch from the Netherlands. My sincere thanks. I hope to continue next year, but I will need another 5,000 poppies, so I ask everyone to carry on knitting! Red, knitted poppies three to eight inches in diameter please.”

The award for most money in an individual box went to Steve Dockerty; Pin badge sales to Bridie and Laurence Lines, and the annual competition between the Market Hall and the Market Place Gazebo was this year won by the Market Hall team.

Certificates were also given to The Buck Inn for the most collected by an commercial premises and to Brompton on Swale CE Primary School for the most collected by a local school.

Cllr White said: “It was a good year, although the weather made it difficult. £15,000 pounds from a small town like Richmond is fantastic and I would like to thank all who contributed to the Poppy Appeal."