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Poppy Appeal Collection This Saturday

Aldershot Town will help to launch the 2016 Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal at Saturday’s home game against Guiseley AFC with a minute’s silence and bucket collection.

The Shots have also donated 100 free tickets to local Garrison personnel to attend the game at the EBB Stadium, generously donated by Patrons Lounge sponsor, ELM Group.

The Secretary of the Royal British Legion’s Aldershot Branch – and Shots fan – Michael Mills will lead the collection, along with Normandy Veteran Lewis Trinder and a number of local Army Cadets.

A Garrison bugler will sound the Last Post just before kick-off in a ceremony which will also commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, which began in July 1916 and featured many troops who had been based in Aldershot.

250 large poppies are again being installed around the EBB Stadium, with Cadets also making the 50/50 draw at half-time on Saturday.

Last year’s collection raised more than £500, contributing to a total of over £35,000 raised by the Aldershot Branch.

First held in 1921, and inspired by John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields, the annual Poppy Appeal raises money for the Royal British Legion’s work in supporting members of the Armed Forces, their families and dependents.