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Poppy sales in Dover saved by van hire company

A team from the Royal British Legion who had issues selling poppies amid bad weather have been saved thanks to a van hire company.

The Dover White Cliffs branch usually sell poppies and other accessories for the annual Poppy Appeal from a gazebo outside the War Memorial in Biggin Street. But they had to stop for two days as the gazebo kept blowing away in the wind.

The RBL in Dover have been donated a van to continue the poppy appeal. Pictures: White Cliffs Royal British Legion
The RBL in Dover have been donated a van to continue the poppy appeal. Pictures: White Cliffs Royal British Legion

But, hire company Relyon came to the rescue and offered the team one of their vehicles to sell the tokens from.

Christine Walton, appeal organiser for Dover, said all was going very well until the recent high winds.

"The gazebo used at the War Memorial started to take off which was very disconcerting, and we had to stop trading for two days this week," she said.

"But I am very pleased to report that a local firm loaned us a van free of charge to help combat the problem at the Memorial.

"The team is back putting crosses down and selling poppy merchandise to help raise much needed funds for our armed forces and families past and present.

The team say they are so grateful to the company for coming to their rescue
The team say they are so grateful to the company for coming to their rescue

"Thank you to all the people of Dover and St Margaret's for their wonderful support of the appeal once again this year."

So far, more than £32,000 has been raised to date by the Dover branch.

"There are nine static stalls in Dover," Ms Walton said.

"Tesco, Home Bargains, Lidl, Aldi, Morrisons, M&S, De Bradelei Wharf cafe, St Margaret's and one outside the War Memorial where the Field of Remembrance is, which was erected by RBL Dover White Cliffs branch."

The van is stationed outside the War Memorial
The van is stationed outside the War Memorial

Neil King, a member of the team, added: "It's so nice that the van company offered us a van to sell from because of the weather - at least we're able to do something.

"It doesn't matter what we sell, as long as we sell to the public and we can give our thanks."

Simon Lamb, at Relyon, said: "It was good to be able to help and I've been past them today and luckily, it's drier weather."

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