Record Poppy Appeal total

Able Cadet Chloe Lane, Sergeant Kathryn Nightingale and Cadet Nathan Law, who raised the highest individual totals

Caring cadets and officers from Greater Manchester have surpassed all previous records for money raised for the Poppy Appeal.

Already they have raised more than £159,000, higher than 2011 and some cadet units have yet to declare their final fund-raising efforts, so that figure could rise.

Each year young sea, army and air cadets and officers in Greater Manchester raise more than any other area in the country for the national Poppy Appeal. The amount raised so far this year has more than doubled the figure of 2008.

A prestigious ceremony will be held on Wednesday 20 February at University Barracks, Boundary Street, Manchester, when the Lord Lieutenant of Greater Manchester Colonel Warren J Smith JP will present awards to units and individuals in recognition of their fund-raising efforts.

Greater Manchester Community Fundraiser for The Royal British Legion Kevin McGuire said: “These may be times of austerity but once again our splendid cadets have worked tirelessly to raise this fantastic total and Greater Manchester has succeeded in raising more than any other county and district.”

This year more than 60 sea, army and air cadet units from Greater Manchester have contributed to final total.

Around 4,000 cadets serve in the sea, army and air training corps in units based all over Greater Manchester from Horwich to Droylsden, Rochdale to Wythenshawe, Wigan to the Rossendale Valley.