AMBLECOTE’S Scout group launched this year’s annual Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal during the weekend.

Group members became poppy collectors on Saturday and Sunday at their local Sainsbury’s branch, raising funds for the nation’s largest Armed Forces charity.

They were supported by members of The Royal British Legion Riders Branch, who, together with Sainsbury's staff and members of Amblecote Royal British Legion, will be running this year’s campaign in the High Street store until November 11.

For the first time this year, members of the store’s ‘Craft-e’ community club will be donating their vast collection of knitted, sewn and crocheted poppies and poppy related items which they have created.

The group was set up by the store’s PR ambassador Julie Bate, after she experienced first-hand the work of the legion’s welfare service who visited her to help her cope with a family member who has been suffering with the onset of dementia.

The store will also be selling poppy inspired products, including jute bags and two flower bouquets, with all profits going to the Royal British Legion. While for the first time, online customers will be able to make a donation and receive a stick on paper poppy, when making orders before November 11.

Andy Beardmore, store manager, said: “I’d like to thank our customers for their kind donations and support every year.

“The Amblecote community has been really supportive of the Poppy Appeal and our store looks forward to all the activity we have planned to support this fantastic cause.”

Customers will also be able to recycle poppies in-store after Armistice Day, between November 12 and 24, with all collected poppies going back to the Royal British Legion, to either make new poppies or to generate more funds.