Air Cadets from 6 Squadrons joined 13 other Sea, Army and Fire Service cadet units from across the Coventry and Warwickshire area for a Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal presentation evening at the Bedworth Ex-Serviceman's Club on Wednesday, March 22.

The Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire Martin Dunne thanked the youngsters for raising more than £14760 for the 2005 Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

In 2005, the national Poppy Appeal raised something in the region of £25 million. Each year in Warwickshire the Legion spends about £125,000 on welfare and resettlement issues, including helping the ex-service community to gain war pensions and benefits, convalescent care, skills assessment and job training.

Since 1999 Air, Army and Sea Cadets and more recently Fire Service cadets from across the county have had their Poppy Appeal collection efforts officially recognised by the Royal British Legion who issue awards to participating units and individuals.

All 19 participating cadet units received a Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal Certificate in recognition of their contribution to the 2005 collection.

The Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire Martin Dunne also presented county competition awards to Air cadet units in the following categories:-

Highest Air Cadet Unit collections

1 st Place 1200 (Polesworth) Squadron	2 nd Place 8F ( 1st City of Coventry ) Squadron	3 rd Place 2030 ( Elmdon & Yardley) Squadron

Highest Air Cadet Individual collection

1 st Place - Cdt Head 1200 (Polesworth) Squadron	2 nd Place - Cdt Sgt Tyson 8F ( 1st City of Coventry ) Squadron	3 rd Place - Cpl Mckeown received on behalf of Cdt Dudley 121 (Nuneaton) Squadron

Highest Overall Cadet Unit collection

1 st Place 1200 (Polesworth) Squadron	1200 (Polesworth) Squadron	2 rd Place 8F ( 1st City of Coventry ) Squadron

The highlight of the presentations came when 1200 Squadron ATC from Polesworth received the county competition award for the highest overall cadet unit collection with their staggering contribution of £2875. 8F Sqn received the runners up trophy for their collection of £2761.

The Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire Martin Dunne said "We are indebted to these young men and women, and their leaders for their outstanding efforts towards the Poppy Appeal collections. 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."