The 2020 Poppy Appeal launches today in Bridport, and this year the Royal British Legion is asking everyone to back the appeal in a new way.

Like so many things this year, the appeal has to adapt to the threat of Covid-19 and the legion are asking the public to support the charity like never before, because every poppy counts.

Whilst the pandemic has impacted the ways in which the legion can deliver the Poppy Appeal in Bridport, its community of staff, volunteers, partners and suppliers have been working together to ensure that the 2020 Poppy Appeal is able to go ahead and everyone can take part in Remembrance activity.

People may have to do something different to support the Poppy Appeal this year, including taking part in remote activity like ordering poppies through the post for neighbours and family, printing a poppy and displaying it in a window, or undertaking a virtual Poppy Run, but every poppy counts so the legion is asking people to please support in any way they can.

The money raised in 2020 will enable the legion to continue its vital work delivering life-long support to service and ex-service personnel and their families through hardships, injuries and bereavements. The legion uses donations in many ways including providing crisis grants, sport and art based recovery programmes, specialist dementia care, and advising and supporting with benefits and money issues.

Supporting the launch of the appeal is ex-soldier Lawrence Philips from south Yorkshire who says the Royal British Legion 'saved his life' this year and set him on the path to his dream job as a teacher.

When the pandemic struck, Lawrence, 28, found himself out of work and at the mercy of a payday loan company. But the legion helped Lawrence to clear his debt and he's started a new teaching job.

Lawrence said: "Without the help of the legion I would be dead now, 100 per cent. They have helped me sort out both my mental health and my financial health. I'm debt-free and I cannot thank them enough."

With Lawrence unable to work due to Covid-19, a £500 debt suddenly spiralled by almost 400 per cent, so he turned to the legion and, despite the Covid-19 restrictions, the charity's benefits, debt and money advice team took control of the situation, negotiated a significant discount and allowed Lawrence to clear a much smaller payment.

Lawrence said: "I will be forever grateful to everyone at the legion in Yorkshire. I don't really want to think about where I would be without them."

The Royal British Legion's director of fundraising, Claire Rowcliffe, said: "The Covid-19 pandemic has had an overwhelming impact on people's livelihoods and way of life, leaving some in the Armed Forces community in dire need of urgent help and support.

"The legion's work is more vital than ever as we support our community through additional hardships from those struggling with social isolation, financial difficulties and unemployment, to those who have lost loved ones or are facing the threat of homelessness. Every poppy counts."

Fundraising ideas for this year's appeal can be found here