LONG-SERVING volunteer fundraisers who have collected money for the Poppy Appeal have been honoured for their years of service.

The group of 11 collectors for the Tollesbury Royal British Legion have put in a combined 200 years of hard work between them.

The awards were presented to them by Essex Royal British Legion chairman Major David Swann.

The longest serving member, Doris Gilvray, has been collecting for the armed forces for an astonishing 50 years.

Susan Parker and Janet Lowe have both been collecting for the appeal for 25 years.

Ann Clarke, Sheila Deeprose, Linda Donovan and Malcolm Cousens have each put in 20 years of service.

Claire Cousens and Denise Cousens have helped the appeal for ten years and Shirley Broadhurst and Kevin Tappin have collected for five years.

Branch chairman Malcolm Cousens said it was a great achievement.

He said: “After the presentations, Major Swann thanked all collectors for their time and generosity supporting the work of the Royal British Legion and its annual poppy appeal.

“He also informed the collectors that the Royal British Legion is needed more than ever with over £1.6million spent on welfare each week.

“He said that without the much-valued volunteers and donors, the Royal British Legion could not continue the work that they do and that over the many years each and every one has taken part, they have made incredible differences to a great many lives.”