WHEN she was 16 Maggie Sandercock began helping with the Poppy Appeal collections for the Crediton branch of the Royal British Legion.

That was more than 50 years ago, since when Maggie has helped raise thousands of pounds and took over as Poppy Appeal organiser in 1995 from Cynthia King-Robinson.

“In fact, I’ve done more than 50 years,” said Maggie. “I began collecting when it was Ford and Lock supermarket on Mill Street. There was no foyer then, when it rained you got wet!” she said.

In 1995 Maggie became Standard Bearer for the Women’s Branch of the Legion in Crediton, a job she did for 20 years, bearing the Standard at all events including the Remembrance parades.

At a coffee morning at Clifford Gardens on Saturday, June 2 Maggie was presented with a certificate from Shane Crowhurst, head of the Poppy Appeal, thanking her for her long service and the bar to her 50 years’ medal.

Making the presentation John Shaw, president Crediton branch RBL, thanked her for her long-standing support.

Among the RBL branded goods for sale were lots of hand-crocheted poppies that had been used in the Christmas Tree Festival at Crediton as well as fabric shopping bags that fold into a small bag.