THE Royal British Legion has encouraged the nation to recognise the unseen service and sacrifice of our Armed Forces at the launch of its 2019 Poppy Appeal.

The appeal was officially launched in Dorset with a service at the Tank Museum in Bovington. Members of service personnel were present, alongside representatives from the Legion, the Lord Lieutenant and the Garrison Commander.

Ian Jarvis, chairman of the Legion's Dorset branch, said: "Each day our Armed Forces provide an incredible service to our country in all kinds of ways, many of which we don’t necessarily see, but all of which impact our lives. The unseen sacrifices they make on our behalf deserve to be recognised, so wear your poppy with pride and show your support for our Armed Forces community, past and present."

The Legion uses donations in many ways including providing crisis grants, sport and art-based recovery programmes, specialist dementia care, lobbying the government on issues that affect our community and advising and supporting individuals with benefits and money issues.

Ian added: “Every donation received will make a real difference not only to the lives of service men and women and veterans, but to their families as well, who can experience difficulties dealing with the circumstances of a loved one who is serving."

Founded in 1921, The Royal British Legion provides care and support to past and current members of the British Armed Forces, as well their families. Every year in November, the Legion lead the nation in commemorating and honouring those who have lost their lives in active service in all conflicts, as well as those who have served and who continue to do so.

In Dorset last year, the Poppy Appeal raised a record-breaking £852,000. This contributed towards the overall total of £50m that was raised across the country as the nation marked the end of the centenary. In 2019, volunteers will be working hard to equal this figure as the Legion works to shine a spotlight on the many hidden contributions made by the Armed Forces community every day.

For more information about this year's Poppy Appeal, visit www.britishlegion.org.uk