It is time to turn out your pockets to help a veterans charity.

Eastern Daily Press: Royal British Legion Women's Section county secretary Lesley Willcocks and county chairman Hazel Kingswood who are also behind the 2p challenge of their local branch at Aylsham. Photo: Simon FinlayRoyal British Legion Women's Section county secretary Lesley Willcocks and county chairman Hazel Kingswood who are also behind the 2p challenge of their local branch at Aylsham. Photo: Simon Finlay (Image: Archant © 2009)

The Aylsham branch of the Royal British Legion Women's Section is aiming to collect enough 2p coins to cover a mile on the runway of the former RAF Coltishall airbase.

It means gathering 63,360 coins - which will in turn raise £1,267.20.

It is part of a national challenge by the veterans support charity. The coins will be bagged up and laid out on the runway on Wednesday July 16 - before an aerial of picture is taken of the moment.

Branch and county chairman Hazel Kingswood said: 'We will be spelling out the words 2p mile twice, with four quarter-mile lines between them - because it makes a stronger image.'

The 27 other branches around Norfolk were also looking to take part by collecting coins.

Aylsham has enlisted the help of local schools, who are collecting coins in jam jars and box files.

The branch is also hosting sessions at Barclays bank in Aylsham on June 16 and July 4 where people can hand in coins.

'But we can convert any donations into 2p coins' said Mrs Kingswood from Marsham, who is being helped by branch vice-chairman Debbie Dangerfield and treasurer Lesley Willcocks, who is also the county secretary.

Service families at RAF are also collecting and will hand over their collection to the Norfolk pot on July 1 with a photograph alongside a Tornado aircraft.

'We hope people wanting to help will contact their local women's section branch,' added Mrs Kingswood.

People can contact county secretary Lesley Willcocks at Foxglove Cottage, 8 Allison Street, Marsham, NR10 5PJ, (01263 734115) or Mrs Kingswood on 01263 734091 or email hm.kingswood@hotmail.com

Are you organising a charity event in north Norfolk? Email richard.batson@archant.co.uk