A WELL-KNOWN campaigner for disabled war veterans is the face of this year's Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal. Allen Parton, 47, who was born and grew up in Haslemere, served in the Royal Navy for 20 years until he was wounded in the l991 Gulf War. He was in hospital and rehabilitated for five years and has been in a wheelchair ever since he returned home to Clanfield. Mr Parton suffered depression and twice tried to commit suicide, but his life changed in l997 when he was partnered with Endal, a guide dog who became his constant companion. Endal and Mr Parton have since travelled all over Britain raising awareness of Canine Partners, the charity to which Endal is allied, and the plight of disabled war veterans. Stunning pictures showing Allen being pushed along in his wheelchair by a life-size man made out of poppies are being seen on posters across Britain. They urge people to buy a poppy, reminding them that 900,000 people across Britain suffer disability. Mr Parton said: "I am delighted to support the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal as I have first-hand experience of receiving invaluable help from them twice. "I was devastated when the hospital told me that there was no money for a new wheelchair for me. "I rang the Royal British Legion and within two weeks I had a new chair provided by them. "It was the second time I had been helped out by the Legion. My family was evicted from our home when I was in hospital going through rehabilitation and the Royal British Legion rehoused them at Clanfield." Mr Parton added: "Bearing in mind there are 900,000 disabled war veterans in this country, I feel if I can be a voice and help to highlight their plight, I am only too happy to do so." Mr Parton joined the forces in 1974 and served for 20 years in the Royal Navy. He was on active duty in the Falklands, the first Gulf War and Northern Ireland as a weapons electrical engineer. While serving in the Gulf War, Mr Parton had a army vehicle accident and is now in a wheelchair with no feeling in his legs or his right arm.