Horsham volunteer asks supporters to dig deep for this year’s Poppy Appeal

Horsham Poppy appeal (Pic by Jon Rigby) SUS-151027-162254008

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Horsham’s annual Poppy Appeal was launched yesterday (Monday October 26) to remember the fallen in the First World War.

Poppies and other merchandise are available for purchase from the unit previously owned by The Cloth Store in the Carfax until Sunday November 8.

The small team of volunteers is lead by Horsham Poppy Appeal organiser Dianne Loates, whose family served in the armed forces across generations.

Dianne said: “The fact that you’re helping others, especially the forces’ families, the bereaved and, of course, the wounded, gives you such a sense of doing something yourself (to help).

Horsham Poppy appeal (Pic by Jon Rigby) SUS-151027-162306008

“If you can’t do it any other way, you can do it by just giving a few hours helping to collect.”

Dianne said she is aiming to collect £25,000 this year.

She said: “If I get over that it would be a huge bonus.”

Dianne was awarded the WSCT Achievement award at last year’s County Times Community Awards for her commitment to the charity.

She added: “Winning the award was a huge boost to my morale but, at the same time, we are a team and we boost each other up all the time.