A retired RAF veteran is taking the lead in reinstating the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal presence in a Buckinghamshire town following a no-show last year.

Mark Collins, who works for the charity, has taken up the vacated role of Poppy Appeal Organiser in Princes Risborough.

This is due to the non-existent presence of the appeal along the town’s High Street 12 months ago.

And after hearing feedback from residents and shoppers who live in the town, Mark made it his aim to try and reinstate the cause back in Risborough.

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He said: “It’s about finding volunteers.

“I’ve spoken to loads of the shops and they said they are keen for it to be back, so the response has been great.

“We’re one of the largest charities in the UK and last there, we were completely devoid of any activity.

“Of course, you had private poppy sales in the town but nothing to do with the legion and to me, it was a sign of the times as there was the cost-of-living crisis.

“However, there is a huge positive vibe in the town and Longwick as well, as people want to help out and wear them.

“There is a lot of support.

Mark’s eagerness to help the charity comes from his history in the army.

He served as a catering and logistics officer in the UK, whilst also visiting Afghanistan in 2007 and 2012.

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He is now the director of casework at the Royal British Legion, where he is responsible for the 23 area teams that provide support to beneficiaries across the UK and beyond.

He continued: “We’ll be going to Tesco and be based in the High Street.

“I’m looking forward to the future as I’m trying to get full-time volunteers.

“Of course, I can’t do it but the support that has come my way has been brilliant.”

The Poppy Appeal in Risborough will officially launch today [Thursday, October 26], where residents can get their poppies along the High Street and in Tesco.