Air, Sea, Army and Fire Service Cadets from across the Coventry and Warwickshire area who raised more than £35,500 for the Poppy Appeal, have been honoured by the Royal British Legion at a special presentation evening.

The young cadets from the Air Training Corps, Army Cadet Force, Sea Cadets and Youth Fire Service had all actively participated in the 2010 Warwickshire County Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal collection raising a staggering £35,500, an increase of more than £4,000 on the previous year.

The presentation evening attended by The Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire Martin Dunne and the Mayor of Nuneaton and Bedworth Cllr Don Navarro was held at the Bedworth Ex-Servicemen's Club, in Rye Piece Ringway, Bedworth, on Wednesday, 16th March.

During his introduction, Philip Wilson, Warwickshire RBL County Chairman, said: "It is so pleasing to see that the youth of today are doing their bit to help those who risked their lives in the service of their country. The Poppy Appeal is as relevant today as it was when it started and the cold facts are that ex-servicemen, women and their dependants who commit their lives to the service of this country deserve all the help these dedicated young people can give them."

The Mayor of Nuneaton and Bedworth Cllr Don Navarro also praised the cadets for their outstanding efforts and said, “It's wonderful to see that so many young people are putting so much effort into the Poppy Appeal collection. I hope that some of the cadets who are here today will eventually go on to take up the valuable work of the Royal British Legion”

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 individual cadets.

All participating cadet units received a Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal Certificate in recognition of their contribution to the 2010 collection and the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire Martin Dunne also presented county competition awards to Air cadet units in the following categories:-

Following the presentations the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire Martin Dunne gave a short address, during which he 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."

More photographs from the Poppy Appeal Presentations

Also see related articles submitted by individual units:
2028 (Southam) Squadron awarded second place Trophy for Air Training Corps Poppy Appeal Collection
Nuneaton Air Cadets Poppy collection efforts praised by RBL