LONG-SERVING Poppy Appeal organisers are retiring across Oxfordshire, prompting a call for volunteers to step in and take their place.

Volunteers in all corners of the county are hanging up their tins after years of dedicated service to those affected by war.

They include grandmother Jean Hollis, 75, who has been the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal organiser for Woodstock for the past 14 years.

The mother-of-two, who lives in the town with husband Gordon, 80, a former Corporal in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, said: “I only planned to do this for a year and I ended up staying for 14 years.

“We have about 80 collectors in the area and they are very dedicated, looking after Woodstock and the surrounding area and the Cherwell Valley services off the M40.

“People in the town are always very generous when it comes to supporting the Poppy Appeal. This year we raised just over £19,000.

“Since I started in 2002 we have collected £283,929.79, which is a huge contribution to the valuable work the legion does supporting veterans, servicemen and women and their families.”

Mrs Hollis, a former secretary, is secretary of the women’s section of RBL’s branch in Woodstock and her husband is chairman of the branch.

She added: “Some of the collectors have been with us for a very long time. Enid Jerrams must be nearly 90 and she has been collecting for the Poppy Appeal for about 57 years.

“We put boxes in all the shops and even knock on people’s doors.

“I feel the time is right for me to hand over to someone else and I’m now tying up a few loose ends.”

The RBL is also looking for Poppy Appeal organisers in Aston & Cote, Bicester, Filkins and Stadhampton.

David Crabbe is retiring after four years as organiser of the appeal in Bicester.

He served in the Army from 1964 to 1995 and is a retired major from the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. The 69-year-old grandfather served in the Far East, Europe and Northern Ireland.

He said: “I am also branch secretary and it is difficult to fulfil both roles, so it would be great if someone could take over from me as organiser. This year we raised about £44,000.”

Community fundraiser for Oxfordshire Mark Garwood said: “Jean has done great work over the past 14 years and it will be difficult to find such a dedicated replacement, but we do need someone to come forward in the next month or so.

“David has also worked very hard for us in Bicester and is looking to hand on the role of Poppy Appeal organiser.

“If you do not have a proper organiser it could hit donations coming in.

“As soon as an appeal finishes for one year organisers start the behind-the-scenes preparations for the next year. We are looking for people who are reliable, trustworthy and possess good organisational abilities.”

Last year’s target for donations across the county was £575,000 after £560,370.17 was raised the previous year.

The final amount for the 2015 appeal has not yet been tallied.

* To get involved contact Mr Garwood at mgarwood@britishlegion.org.uk