Generous Melksham raises over £21,000 for Poppy Appeal

POPPY Appeal organisers have praised the generosity of Melksham and surrounding villages for raising over £21,000 for this year’s appeal. 

The total amount raised, £21,226, is almost triple the amount raised for the appeal last year, which faced difficulties due to Covid-19 restrictions and a second national lockdown. 

Poppy Appeal organiser, Trevor Paterson said, “On behalf of the Melksham Branch of the Royal British Legion, I would like to thank the residents of Melksham and the surrounding villages for their generous support for this year’s Poppy Appeal. 

“We had tables selling poppies, pin badges, crosses and other items in Sainsbury’s, Asda and Waitrose over the two weeks of this year’s Poppy Appeal, unlike last year! 

“Customers at these stores were very generous this year – we collected a total of £13,719 from cash donations and our card machines, a very worthwhile addition this year!

“I would like to thank all the volunteers who manned our tables in these stores, it’s thanks to you that we made such a brilliant amount. 

“I would also like to thank Christine and Rodney Price for their help with distributing tins and poppy boxes to the schools and businesses in Atworth. 

“Thanks to all the pubs, shops and businesses in Melksham and the surrounding villages who allowed us to place tins and poppy boxes in their premises, where we collected a total of £6,021 from 126 collection tins! 

“Thanks also to all our schools in Melksham, Shaw and Atworth, their total contribution came to £1,938. Thanks also for the generous donations from groups, unions and individuals. 

“The total for this year came to £21,226, a wonderful contribution from Melksham for this year’s Poppy Appeal. 

“Also, I would like to thank the management of the Parsons Nose pub for the excellent food and drinks supplied to the Melksham veterans after a successful parade and wreath-laying on Remembrance Sunday.”