Mayor's Poppy Appeal : Newark aims to break the £40,000 barrier

The 2017 Mayor’s Poppy Appeal was launched in Newark Market Place with a rallying call for the town to smash the £40,000 barrier.

Last year, Newark was just £300 short.

Collectors from the Royal British Legion and the town’s two Rotary Clubs will be in Newark for the next three Saturdays and two Wednesdays.

Volunteers will be in all the town’s main supermarkets and there will be collection points in the Market Place, near the Town Pump outside Toni and Guy.

Military vehicle enthusiasts Callsign Alpha will support the appeal with displays on the next three Saturdays.

The group’s military vehicles will be there from 8.45am to 3.30pm.

More volunteer collectors are needed for this year’s appeal.

Anyone interested should contact Paul Spreckley on 07967 873536.

The chairman of the Newark branch of British Legion, former Wing Commander John Rush, said he hoped the town would again dig deep.

Nottinghamshire County Council chairman Mr John Handley will be at the county’s annual Poppy Appeal launch at Notts County FC’s game against Newport County on Saturday.

Notts County chairman Mr Alan Hardy and manager Kevin Nolan will buy poppies on the halfway line as 12 military standard bearers stand around the centre circle with the players.

The Last Post will be played and there will be a minute’s silence before kick-off.