HAVERFORDWEST collections for the 2014 Poppy Appeal have topped £26,500, with more donations still to be counted.

The county town’s branch of the Royal British Legion launched its annual appeal last October, and has already exceeded the amount volunteers collected in the previous year.

“People are always very supportive of the appeal, but I think they have been further motivated to donate as a result of last year’s Centenary,” said Graham Johnson, Poppy Appeal organiser for Haverfordwest. “Many of those who help with the collections have a personal connection to the cause, such as a family member who was killed in the war.”

Stalwart Poppy Appeal collectors Margaret and Ron Spiers, who are both in their 70s, said people were “queuing up” to donate when they were out shaking their tins in the town centre.

“We go out on the streets, and a lot of people here told us the Centenary has brought back memories of their fathers and grandfathers,” said Margaret. “Everyone has been so generous.”

Ron said OAPs would often put a pound in to his tin, but decline to take a poppy because they “already had one”.

“We found a cheque for £100 in one of our collection boxes in Tesco,” added Graham. “And we regularly see donations of double that amount. It would be great if we could break the £30,000 barrier.”

The Branch and all its members are keen to thank every individual, organisation and business for their donations and help in making the appeal – which will run until this September – such a great success.

The Legion’s next big fundraiser will be a concert at the Torch Theatre in April, to mark the Centenary of the Battle of Gallipoli.