ORGANISERS are hoping this year’s Poppy Appeal collections around Haslemere will beat the 2014 record of over £25,000.

And this year, in the run up to Remembrance Sunday, on November 8, and Remembrance Day, on November 11, there will be even more giant poppies, adorning lampposts and trees throughout the town and in Grayswood.

Collections start on Saturday, October 24, when poppy boxes will be on display at Tesco, Waitrose, Haslemere Railway Station, most local businesses, schools, care homes, churches, and at Haslemere Hospital, including the Haslemere Health Centre and Minor Injuries and Outpatients unit, along with house to house collectors.

Street collections will start a week later on Saturday, October 31, and continue until 11 am on Wednesday, November 11.

The Mayor of Haslemere, Melanie Odell, will be joining collectors in the town from 11am-noon outside Boots in the town centre, on October 31, and poppy collectors will be outside Boots and India Jane in the High Street, Waitrose and West Street every day from 9 am until 5pm.

Remembrance crosses and vehicle poppies can also be obtained from Hammonds Newsagents, at the station and Marley Flowers in the High Street.

As in previous years, small wooden crosses may be placed on the Garden of Remembrance set up on the grass area around the War Memorial.

Michael Barnes, Poppy Appeal organiser for The Royal British Legion in Haslemere, Grayswood, Critchmere and Shottermill, said this year, along with the usual army of volunteer collectors, former Haslemere Mayors Jim Edwards and Brian Howard are helping to organise the appeal.

Mr Barnes said: “We ask everyone in Haslemere, Grayswood, Shottermill, Critchmere and visitors to our town to give generously to this worthy and commendable cause.

“In 2014 we collected a record £25,144.34. Your contributions really do make a difference as we stand shoulder to shoulder with all who serve our country in these exacting times.”

He added: “Flight Lieutenant Kevin Burchett has agreed for the cadets of 1268 Haslemere Squadron to collect again in Tesco on Saturdays and Sundays, from October 24 to November 7. Their magnificent efforts in 2014 produced £1,843.34 which was more than seven per cent of our final total,” Mr Barnes added.