The Oakham Branch of the Royal British Legion is one of the smaller branches in England.

However Oakham and Rutland's long-established connections with the armed forces - historically with the RAF - and more recently with the bourgeoning presence of the Army , the branch consistently punches above its weight when it come to raising funds for the annual Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

It was always anticipated that the collection in 2018 was going to see a marked increase in the amount raised.

The Centenary of the Armistice added a very special dimension to all things connected with Remembrance and, with this in mind, the branch was always confident we were going to have 'a good year'.

In the event, our expectations were exceeded beyond our wildest antiocipation.

In 2017, the branch raised £22,493 between the beginning of October 2017 and the end of September 2018 - our best result to date.

The following year, 2018/19, saw an increase of 119% - meaning that we were able to send the staggering sum of £49,234 to the Earl Haigh Fund.

All of the money goes into central Royal British Legion funds and all of it come out again in the form of support for service personnel, veterans and the dependents of those who are serving and have served.

Locally, and most recently, the sum of £8,000 was donated by the legion to Cottesmore Academy Primary School so that they could set up a Parents' Room and a Sensory Room to enhance the quality of the education the school is able to provide to the pupils.

The vast majority of the sum raised came from the generous folk of Rutland simply putting their hands in their pockets and popping money into a tin.

However, 2018 did see a number of very specific events which swelled the sum significantly.

Specifically, there was a concert performed by the Band of the Royal Air Force Regiment in the Great Hall of Uppingham School, a performance by Rutland Concert Band in All Saints' Church and a hugely generous collection at the County Remembrance Service on 11 November.

However, one endeavour merits very special note: the Rutland Poppy Project.

Conceived and driven forward by Ms Vickie Goddard, this amazing endeavour contributed some £20,000 to the legion and it is this very specific donation which made all the difference.

It goes without saying that all of the above requires organising – it doesn't just happen!

The burden for the past five years has been willingly, enthusiastically and efficiently borne by the Oakham Branch Poppy Appeal Organiser, Mrs Gwyn Andrews.

It was she, accompanied by David Smith, the Branch Chairman, who was delighted to receive The Parkinson Rose Bowl, for the branch showing the greatest percentage increase in funds raised, from the President of the Leicestershire and Rutland Royal British Legion Colonel Robert Martin, at the Annual General Meeting in Mountsorrel on Saturday (18 Jan).

It goes without saying - The Oakham Branch is grateful for such magnificent support from those around us.