Actors Barbara Windsor and Shane Richie joined soldiers from Colchester to raise money to help the Armed Forces community.

East Anglian Daily Times: Shane Richie at London Poppy Day. Picture: SGT RUPERT FRERE/MOD CROWNShane Richie at London Poppy Day. Picture: SGT RUPERT FRERE/MOD CROWN (Image: MoD Crown Copyright)

Some 70 soldiers from 16 Air Assault Brigade took part in The Royal British Legion’s London Poppy Day on Thursday alongside hundreds of other servicemen and women.

Based at the city’s busy Liverpool Street train station, the soldiers collected donations from commuters and tourists and explained the importance of the appeal for veterans and serving personnel alike.

Private Ryan Doughty, of 13 Air Assault Support Regiment Royal Logistic Corps, said: “It’s been a really good experience to come out in uniform and mix with the public.

“The Poppy Appeal is a cause that’s close to the heart of every soldier, and people have been very generous in response to that.

“Everyone has been really positive, and wanted to stop to talk about what we do as soldiers and thank us for our hard work.”

The Band of The Parachute Regiment and the Pipes and Drums of 1st Battalion The Royal Gurkha Rifles provided entertainment for the day.

London Poppy Day is the UK’s largest one-day street collecting event.