Cadets from 121 (Nuneaton) Squadron ATC joined 15 other cadet units from across Coventry and Warwickshire for a Poppy Appeal presentation evening at the Bedworth Ex-Serviceman's Club on Thursday, March 25.

The Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire Martin Dunne thanked the youngsters for raising more than £10,000 for the 2003 Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

Since 1999 Air, Army and Sea Cadets from across the county have competed to raise funds for the Poppy Appeal.

This year the 121 Squadron cadets raised over £1000 thus winning the local Rotary Club Poppy Appeal trophy which is sponsored by the Nuneaton Rotary Club and is awarded annually to the cadet unit which manages to collect the most money during the Nuneaton & Bedworth street collections.

In the county competition the highest individual unit's award was won by 8F Squadron ATC from Coventry, with a collection of £2,577 with second place being claimed by north Warwickshire's 1200 Squadron ATC from Polesworth, which collected £1,752.

County field officer Alan Mallett said: "The cadet involvement with the Poppy Appeal has been a great success.
"We started this initiative in 1999, when only £3,290 was raised. This year's total of £10,068.13 is a magnificent increase of £7,000.
"We are indebted to these young men and women, most of which are affiliated to their local Legion branches and I hope this yearly initiative can continue to raise the money we so desperately need each year to support the welfare of the ex-service community."

In 2003, the Poppy Appeal raised £21.5 million. Each year in Warwickshire the Legion spends about £115,000 on welfare and resettlement issues, including helping the ex-service community to gain war pensions and benefits, convalescent care, skills assessment and job training.