ALMOST £20,000 was raised from last November s Poppy Appeal in Royston. But members of the Royston branch of the Royal British Legion did collect a record-breaking £19,010 during the appeal campaign. Branch chairman Joe McDonald said the collecting of a

ALMOST £20,000 was raised from last November's Poppy Appeal in Royston.

But members of the Royston branch of the Royal British Legion did collect a record-breaking £19,010 during the appeal campaign.

Branch chairman Joe McDonald said the collecting of a record-breaking amount showed that people were still aware of the Poppy Appeal and the work of the Royal British Legion.

He said support for last November's appeal showed backing for the British servicemen and women who are currently serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr McDonald said: "The response to the Poppy Appeal was a clear message to our men and women who are serving at the moment in harm's way."

He continued that without the help of people collecting door-to-door and through local businesses, clubs, schools, pubs and churches so much would not have been raised.

"Without their support we would have never raised so much," he said.

Branch chairman Joe McDonald, left, and Royston branch Poppy Appeal organiser Shaun Sillett at the Royston War Memorial.