Puma helicopter from RAF Benson helps launch the local Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal at Newbury Racecourse ahead of Remembrance Sunday

A giant poppy arrived in an RAF Puma helicopter to launch this year’s local Poppy Appeal.

The event took place at Newbury Racecourse on the same day Princess Anne visited the races.

Newbury Poppy Appeal organiser Angela Logue said the event went really well, despite being a smaller affair than previous years due to the uncertainty of Covid.

“It was very good, it went off very well,” she added.

The poppy was handed over from the helicopter, which came from RAF Benson, to the Royal British Legion county chairman Major Jim Sibbald, who brought it across to the Royal Box.

Here he passed it on to county president, Group Captain David Drew.

A short ceremony was then held where Ms Logue saluted as The Last Post was played and five Standards, including one from the Newbury Branch, the Women’s Section and the County, were all lowered.

Harriet Collins from Newbury Racecourse said: “Newbury Racecourse has held a long association with the West Berkshire and Vale of White Horse Poppy Appeal.

“We were honoured to welcome current serving and retired members of the Armed Forces and Royal British Legion for our first jumps fixture of the season last Thursday and mark the Centenary of the Royal British Legion with a special ceremonial poppy presentation.

“It is an occasion which is very important to the racecourse and our racegoers and our thanks go to everyone involved.”

Students from Newbury College’s public service course then spent the day at the racecourse collecting money for the Poppy Appeal.

Ms Logue, who is the county parade marshall and a member of the Newbury branch, said they had raised around £800.