Record-breaking Elgin collection for Poppy Scotland's 2021 appeal

A RECORD-BREAKING total topping £26,000 has been raised in the Elgin and surrounds collection for Poppy Scotland this year.

Staff at Virgin Money, on Elgin High Street, counted all the donations which this year included £13,000 in coins alone.

The figure does not include donations made via a new contactless system, which is yet to be confirmed.

Chair of the local Poppy Scotland Committee, Lieutenant Colonel David Broadfoot MBE, a former Gordon Highlanders officer, said: "Following a difficult Covid-hit collection in 2020, this year confirmed, yet again, the generosity of the people of Elgin and its surrounding area.

"With the figure for the amount donated on our new contactless system still awaited, we have still broken our record collection.

"The total collected this year is a staggering £26,010.08."

Lt Col Broadfoot expressed his thanks to all those who gave so generously, to all local businesses who have supported the appeal year on year, and to local Tesco and Asda branches for accommodating collection teams in the week leading up to Remembrance Sunday on November 14 this year.

He said: "Thanks also to the hard-working committee, in particular secretary Aubrey Moore, and to all volunteers who give up their time to put tins out, and collect them back in, and those who stand at Tesco and Asda shift after shift."

Lt Col Broadfoot was also grateful to RAF Lossiemouth's Commanding Officer, officers and personnel for their huge contribution, the Sea and RAF cadets, Police Scotland Youth Volunteers, and the staff and pupils at Gordonstoun School.

He added: "The money raised will go to help those who have served but who have fallen on challenging times and to whom we owe so much."

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