ALDERSHOT Town FC and leaders of Aldershot Garrison launched the 2015 Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal last week and raised over £500 at Saturday’s FA Cup tie against Sutton United.

The total of £506.92, which surpasses last year’s collection, begins a series of events to commemorate Armistice Day and celebrate Aldershot Town’s links with the British Army.

The Appeal was launched on Friday by Shots manager Barry Smith, Garrison Commander Lt Col Nigel MacGregor, Garrison Sergeant Major, WO1 Tom McCabe, and representatives of all ten units stationed in Aldershot. Over 200 poppies will remain on display around the ground.

An afternoon collection at the EBB Stadium was organised by the Aldershot RBL and members of 1 Platoon Aldershot Army Cadet Force.

A minute’s silence will be observed before Aldershot’s home game against Lincoln on Tuesday, November 10 and the teams will be led out by standard bearers representing the three branches of the Armed Forces, plus the Royal British Legion and Cadet Force. Lewis Trinder, D-Day veteran and vice-chairman of the Aldershot RBL, will also attend the match.

Aldershot are away to Kidderminster Harriers on November 14 and both captains will wear specially-designed armbands which will then be auctioned on behalf of the Poppy Appeal.

The club’s ongoing Seats For Soldiers campaign, which donates free match tickets to serving personnel, will continue throughout the season.

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.