The Royal British Legion is on track to break fundraising records in Bexleyheath and Welling after a staggering £68,000 was raised during this year’s Poppy Appeal.

Fundraisers have issued a heartfelt thanks to shoppers, after £21,000 of the money was collected at the Broadway Shopping Centre in Bexleyheath.

The two-week Poppy Appeal was launched in Bexleyheath town centre a fortnight before Remembrance Sunday on November 13.

The Royal British Legion Bexleyheath and Welling branch says it is still counting donations and expects the final Poppy Appeal total to be around £70,000, which will help support military veterans and their families.

With regular collections continuing until the RBL’s fundraising year ends in September 2017, that puts the branch on course to beat last year’s entire fundraising total of £74,000 – the highest in its 20-year history.

This year was particularly poignant as the RBL joined national commemorative events to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme which saw more than a million men killed or wounded on all sides during the First World War.

Ken Sprowles, Bexley and Welling RBL Treasurer, who regularly collects at Broadway Shopping Centre and around Bexleyheath town centre, said: “People’s generosity is incredible and we are constantly amazed by it.

“This year there was a £50 note in the collecting tin which I’ve never seen before; that’s indicative of how generous people are.

“We’re finding that the age group of contributors is changing. About five or ten years ago, it was mostly older people and these days we see a whole range of people supporting the cause.

“There’s a much higher awareness of WW1 among young people and I think a lot of that is to do with the education that takes place in schools.”

Broadway Shopping Centre’s staff and customers played a huge part in the Poppy Appeal fundraising, donating £21,036 to the cause, which provides financial, social and emotional support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces.

“We always enjoy collecting in Broadway Shopping Centre and we’re incredibly grateful for the generosity of the centre to allow us to collect for two weeks. This year they gave us a retail unit to set up in.

“We have a group of volunteers who help us as well as the Bexley Sea Cadets, Army Cadets and the Air Cadets from Bexley and Erith.”

“We’re there in the shopping centre every day and always see a good flow of people over the two weeks.”

Ken an ex-Royal Naval reservist, who spent 28 years with HMS President in London, said: “This year was particularly poignant with the Battle of the Somme commemorations.”

He added: “Next year will mark 100 years since the Battle of Passchendaele which was nearly as bloody as the Somme. And in 2018, we will of course be marking victory.”

“Our fundraising year runs from September through to September. Last year we raised £74,000 and this year we’re already close to that figure and we still have until September 2017 to keep on collecting.

“We have a number events throughout the year, including the Honour Walk in the summer and various other collecting events such as Armed Forces Day. People make donations throughout the year so we should easily exceed £74,000.”

Broadway Shopping Centre Manager Peter Sedge said: “I’m incredibly proud of the sterling support our staff and shoppers continue to give this wonderful cause.

“This money will provide many ex-servicemen and women with a helping hand through challenging times and I’m delighted that the Broadway Shopping Centre has played its part once again.

“We look forward to welcoming the Bexley and Welling RBL branch back in the New Year to continue its fantastic work.”

For more information about stores at Broadway Shopping Centre go to www.broadwayshoppingcentre.com or visit the centre’s Facebook page or Twitter account @BroadwayBexley Based on information supplied by Alistair Syme.