Launch of the 2010 Poppy Appeal

This year, the Royal British Legion's 2010 Poppy Appeal will target support for the wounded and bereaved of the British armed forces serving in Afghanistan.

County manager Kate Williams said: 'The Royal British Legion is the leading UK charity providing direct, practical support for our injured heroes and bereaved armed forces families.

'The past nine years of conflict have increased the need for our help both today and for years to come.'

She added: 'Despite the current economic times, we trust the people of Norfolk to show their sympathy and support for those who have fought and who are currently fighting abroad.'

The Poppy Appeal in Norfolk hopes to equal or better the �588,158.09 raised last year in the county. Nationally, the Poppy Appeal is seeking to raise a record-breaking �36m.

Children from Marham First School joined serving RAF personnel and Royal British Legion staff at RAF Marham to officially launch the appeal.

Standing in front of a Tornado fighter, the children threw hundreds of poppies into the air, recreating the famous Poppy Drop at the Royal Albert Hall Festival of Remembrance.

Personnel from RAF Marham are currently deployed in Afghanistan and The Royal British Legion urges Norfolk to support the Poppy Appeal so that help can be given not only to the serving and ex-service community, but also their families that are left behind.

The Royal British Legion is the nation's leading armed forces charity providing care and support to members of the British armed forces past and present and their families. It has provided financial help to more than 10,000 service personnel who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan and their families.

The Legion will have a poppy shop in the former Zavvi music store in The Mall Norwich. This will be officially opened by the Sheriff of Norwich Derek James tomorrow at 11am and will be open until November 13. It will be open from 10am until 4pm Monday to Sunday.