The leader of Sutton Council is calling upon local people to help the borough remember those lost during the First World War and subsequent conflicts by volunteering to sell poppies.

Cllr Ruth Dombey is giving her backing to the Royal British Legion’s appeal for Sutton’s residents to sign up and become volunteers for this year’s poppy sale ahead of November’s Remembrance Day. And to show her commitment, Cllr Dombey joined other volunteers to sell poppies herself in the borough on Saturday 26 October. Cllr Ruth Dombey, Leader of Sutton Council said: “Remembrance Day is an important date in our calendar.

On this day we remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our peaceful way of life and I’d urge people to contact the British Legion and spare whatever time they can to join us and help sell poppies.” Flt Lt Shaun Whitehead from the 219 (Sutton & Cheam) Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets said: “All the money raised goes the British Legion in support of those servicemen and women serving today and in the past. The British Legion looks after families as well of the wounded and the fallen the cadets from 219 (Sutton & Cheam) Squadron and along with other volunteers work hard to raise the funds needed in support of the national appeal.” In previous years, poppy selling only started two days before Remembrance Sunday, but this year sales will start on Saturday October 26 – three weeks before the day.

The money collected will go to serving men and women of our armed services and their dependants and to all those that have served in the armed forces and their dependants in the past. Remembrance Day this year is Sunday 10th November 2013.