Two Members of the Senedd have helped collect vital funds for the Armed Forces community and thanked members of the public for their “extremely generous donations.”

Clwyd West MS Darren Millar and North Wales regional MS Sam Rowlands joined Ken Baker of the Royal British Legion on the annual Poppy Appeal stall at Tesco in Abergele on Friday.

The annual appeal was hit hard last year due to the pandemic, but is back in full force in 2021 with 40,000 volunteers across the country back out in communities collecting donations.

Darren, who is Chair of the Welsh Parliament’s Cross Party Group on the Armed Forces and Cadets, said:

“It's the 100th anniversary year for the British Legion and it’s great the volunteers are allowed back out there to collect much needed funds for our Armed Forces community.

“This money goes to help those who have put their lives on the line for our country and it was fantastic to see so many people giving so generously in Abergele on Friday. I thank everyone who has already made a donation and encourage those who haven’t to pop along to Tesco, or other supermarkets in the area,  that are supporting this appeal.  ”

Sam said:

“The Royal British Legion is the nation's leading Armed Forces charity providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. Sadly the charity’s annual fundraiser did not generate the usual high funds last year due to the pandemic. I am therefore pleased that Darren and myself, and others, have been able to get out with our collection buckets this year.

“It was heart-warming to see the copious substantial donations and I thank everyone for being so generous for this extremely worthy cause.”