The Royal British Legion’s Baldock branch has raised £13,300 so far for this year’s Poppy Appeal – with a charity pub quiz and a Christmas market stall among the fundraising initiatives.

The Comet: Cock pub landlord Paul Riley handing the proceeds of the Royal British Legion charity pub quiz over to Paul Middleton and Joan Howard of the Legionnaires team.Cock pub landlord Paul Riley handing the proceeds of the Royal British Legion charity pub quiz over to Paul Middleton and Joan Howard of the Legionnaires team. (Image: Archant)

A pub quiz put on by Paul Riley at the Cock pub raised £136, a Poppy dinner at the Orange Tree helped boost the coffers, and Saturday’s Poppy stall at the Christmas fair was also a success.

There was a Poppy Christmas hamper raffle and, for the kids, ‘Guess the sweets in the jar’ – with the hamper being won by one of the appeal’s volunteers.

“It is a common misconception that the Poppy Appeal only runs for two weeks in November,” said Baldock Poppy Appeal organiser Paul Middleton.

“In fact the appeal runs from November through to the following October. It is the sale of poppies and poppy merchandise in public locations that only occurs in those two weeks.

“The soldiers, sailors and airmen past and present, plus their families, need our help all year round – so we need to keep the money rolling in.

“This incredible amount would not have been possible without the support of our amazing collectors, who all put in whatever hours they could spare. Several of our newer collectors are not RBL members, but share the ideals of supporting the military family. To them all, a massive thank you.”

Paul also thanked Poppy Appeal supporters such as the Baldock Community Centre, which loaned chairs and opened its youth wing on Remembrance Sunday, and the Baldock Methodist Church, which held a Poppy Appeal fundraising lunch and donated its Remembrance Sunday collection.

He also mentioned Baldock Tesco, their community champion Elaine Hewitt, and the team at Baldock services.

The branch’s next fundraising event is a Christmas disco on Friday night at the Stotfold Conservative Club.

There will be disco, buffet, raffle and more from 7.30pm until late. Tickets are £10 each – for more details call the branch secretary Janice Middleton on 07948 377089 or see facebook.com/rblbaldock.