Veterans and volunteers most at risk from Covid-19 will be urged not to take to the streets of our towns for this year's Poppy Appeal.

Across Kent branches of the Royal British Legion (RBL), which co-ordinates the annual fundraiser during the season of Remembrance, will be putting safety first amid the continuing battle against the coronavirus.

While the national Poppy Appeal will still be going ahead, people can expect to see fewer fundraisers in their usual prominent positions across the county.

Jane Ayers, RBL community fundraiser for west Kent, said: "As we prepare for Poppy Appeal 2020 we are exploring ways to minimise the impact of Covid-19 and ensure that all activity aligns with current restrictions and social distancing guidelines.

"The safety and well-being of our volunteers, staff and members is paramount. To protect those most at risk, we have taken the decision to advise collectors who fall into the vulnerable category not to take part in activity on behalf of the Poppy Appeal that would expose them to any additional risks whilst coronavirus is still present.

"The tireless work of all our collectors is invaluable to us, and they are a much-valued part of our community and their respective communities, however, their safety must remain our number one priority."

Former Mayor of Maidstone Mike FitzGerald, who is chairman of Sutton Valence & District branch of the RBL, said: "We will be hoping to maintain our level of support in our area while respecting the current guidance in these challenging times.

"It is so important that the community have the opportunity to respond to this year appeal which will be more important than ever given the pressures on charity fund raising during the pandemic."

Dave Taylor, who is area organiser for the Appeal in Gravesham , expressed his disappointment at the curbing of face-to-face collections - but urged people to give as generously as ever.

"There won't be the Appeal as we know it," he said.

"It will be done online and it will be boxes on counters, rather than face-to-face. It's going to be totally different.

"Every donation is going to be vital this year."

Andrew Heatlie, organiser of the Poppy Appeal in Canterbury , said: "The Legion is rightly considering the welfare of its members and has deemed it not safe for us to be collecting face to face in the streets and in supermarkets where most of our donations come from.

"Many of our members get great enjoyment from engaging with the public, sharing stories and feeling the warmth that they get back. They are going to miss that."

The factory in Aylesford which makes poppies for the annual Appeal had to shut down temporarily due to the Covid-19 pandemic, but the RBL says it is now fully operational and there will be no shortage of poppies this year.

Ms Ayers said: "Members of the Armed Forces Community are suffering significant hardship as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak and we at the Royal British Legion will do everything we possibly can to support them during these difficult times."

In 2018 the Poppy Appeal, which is backed by 40,000 volunteers nationwide, raised more than £50 million to help support serving and ex-serving members of the Armed Forces community and their families.

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