THE POPPY Appeal is set to be officially launched at The Mall, Romford, tomorrow (Wednesday), but one keen collector has already got the ball rolling.

Veteran Roy Wilson set out for The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal collecting donations for members of the Armed Forces and their families from generous supporters in the shopping precinct on Saturday, including Amy Stanley, three, and her stepmother Katie Wright.

Mr Wilson got a head start raising cash in advance of when Deputy Mayor of Havering, Councillor Melvin Wallace, Leader of Havering Council, Councillor Michael White, Romford MP Andrew Rosindell and Upminster and Hornchurch MP Angela Watkinson will form a Legion Guard of Honour to mark the start of this year’s Poppy Appeal in The Mall tomorrow morning at 10.45am.

They will be joined by the Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women, representatives from the Police Cadets and the Romford Association of National Standard Bearers to launch the annual campaign.

Peter Callagher, general manager of The Mall, Romford, said: “We are, once again, honoured to be the starting point for the 2010 Appeal.

“It is very important that we remember those who selflessly gave their lives fighting for their country and I think the present situation in Afghanistan puts this in the public mind.

“It is not just about the ones who are lost, it is about the ones who are damaged or lose a limb and need a lifetime of support.”

Havering also had its hand in the launch of the national Poppy Appeal on Thursday last week with an appearance from pop group The Saturdays whose members hail from the area.

Frankie Sandford, from Upminster, and Rochelle Wiseman, from Collier Row, make up two fifths of the girl band which performed at Colchester Garrison for the launch event.

The overall target for the Appeal is �36million.