More than £50k raised by Barry Poppy Appeal

Donations for the Barry Poppy Appeal group - which raises money to help support serving and ex-serving members of the armed forces - started on October 1 and it has managed to raise its biggest amount to date.

Previously, and in a 12 month period in 2013, £30,000 was raised for the Royal British Legion, whilst 2014 to 2015 saw £51,000 raised.

A number of organisations collected donations for the appeal, including 11th Barry Sea Scouts which collected £6,400.56, Air Cadets which collected £4,390.94, Army Cadets raised £2,544.79, alongside many others.

This year's appeal saw 50.5 per cent of the total amount of raised money being raised by people under 18-years-old.

Roy Goodwin, 60, who is an organiser for the Barry Poppy Appeal, which also covers Rhoose and Peterson-super-Ely, described the news as "wonderful".

He said: "The amount of money is very impressive.

"We've never raised this amount of money before.

"The whole of Barry, Rhoose and Peterston-super-Ely were supportive, especially the young, and now this money will go to help many war veterans.

"We also had the biggest turnout ever of school children at the cemetery service on November 11, and the Remembrance Parade on Sunday, November 13 was watched by thousands as previously reported by the Barry and District."

Teresa Goodwin, another Poppy Appeal organiser, added: "We are absolutely lost for words at the generosity shown by so many people, and the fantastic efforts of all of our volunteers, the shops and businesses that supported us, and those who decorated and lit up buildings.

"Words just are not enough."

Mr Goodwin added: "We still have a few cheques arriving so we are confident that we will raise £53,000 by Christmas.

"We shall now continue low key fundraising for the rest of the Appeal year until 30th September 2017."

For more information on the Poppy Appeal, visit http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/poppy-appeal-2016/?gclid=CJHgm9Dv39ACFamT7QodFZkCkQ