A FORDINGBRIDGE company has stepped up to the task of coordinating the town’s Royal British Legion (RBL) Poppy Appeal.

Padua Communications, a content, marketing and PR agency, will now be the main point of contact for those who want to order wreaths for Remembrance Day in Fordingbridge.

Nicky Rudd, managing director at the company, said she was inspired to take on the task after she saw a post on social media calling for help after the previous coordinator decided to step down.

Both Nicky and marketing assistant Hayley Burrows will also be volunteer Poppy Appeal collectors

Nicky said: “My grandad was a Royal Marine, and I knew he would have wanted me to help so I contacted the RBL.

“After some reference checking, myself and Hayley on my team have got the go ahead. Hayley is also super chuffed as both her grandads were also in the forces.”

Padua Communications has been given details of recent orders from the previous coordinator and is in the process of placing orders ahead of this year’s appeal.

Nicky added: “We are going through the information that the RBL has shared and will be reaching out to the local community to take orders in person, but we would love to hear from businesses, organisations, churches and associations that would like a collection tin and poppies so we can add them to our order – and hopefully increase the amount raised by donations.”

The deadline for anyone who is interested in a collection tin and/or a box of poppies is the September 24. To place your order, email Hayley at hayley@paduacommunications.com

The Royal British Legion helps members of the Royal Navy, British Army, Royal Air Force, veterans and their families.

It supports serving and ex-serving personnel all year round, every day of the week and its assistance starts after one day of service and continues through life, long after service is over.

The Poppy Appeal is the Royal British Legion’s biggest fundraising campaign held every year in November, during the period of Remembrance.

Every purchase through the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Shop or donation to the Poppy Appeal goes 100% to the charity, and its work helping members or former members of the Armed Forces Community.

The money raised is used to provide support to the Armed Forces community in six key areas: financial support, advice, employment, mobility, housing and mental health.