Cadet Poppy Appeal breaks all records

Caring cadets from Rochdale Borough are amongst 4,000 young cadets serving in the Army, Sea Cadet and Air Training Corps in units based all over Greater Manchester, who have raised nearly £110,000 for the Poppy Appeal – the largest amount in the country - with money still rolling as some units have yet to declare their collections.

Rochdale Air Training Corps has so far raised the most in Greater Manchester collecting £9,343.89, closely followed by Oldham Sea Cadets who raised £8,498.99 and Cheadle Hulme Army Cadet Force with £7,420.41.

Greater Manchester County Manager for The Royal British Legion Martin Watkins said: "At this stage we have already collected a record breaking 30 per cent more than the cadet total for 2008; this is a truly incredible achievement given the current economic climate.

"Full credit must go to our young cadets for their sterling work in keeping the spirit of the Poppy Appeal alive. They have done a tremendous amount of collecting and, when young people so often receive a bad press, it is right that these cadets should receive due recognition for their fantastic work.

"Our total in Greater Manchester is without equal, easily surpassing all other counties and districts. We are very proud of our young men and women in the cadet forces. With British Forces currently serving in Afghanistan and elsewhere, it is vitally important that people continue to donate to the Poppy Appeal thus supporting the men and women who defend the freedoms many of us take for granted."

The Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Colonel Warren J Smith JP will be holding a special Cadet Poppy Appeal Awards night on Thursday 18 February at Belle Vue Territorial Army Centre at 7.30pm.