This year’s Poppy Appeal was launched at Romford’s Mercury shopping centre.

A small crowd gathered at the launch of Romford Royal British Legion’s fundraising appeal on the busy ground floor of the mall.

“We continue to remember our fallen heroes,” the shopping centre’s deputy manager Natalie Bays said. “This is an event that is close to our communities.”

The British Legion’s standard was hoisted when Havering’s mayor Stephanie Nunn officially opened the appeal, along with Romford MP Andrew Rosindell. They were joined by standard bearers, Havering councillors and British Legion volunteers.

A fundraising stand is now in place on the ground floor until November 11 where poppies, crosses and badges can be purchased. 

All of the money collected will go to the British Legion funds.