In a year that marks a century of the poppy symbolising remembrance and hope, it is as important as ever to honour our veterans and serving armed forces.

The Royal British Legion’s (RBL) annual Poppy Appeal is launched today with a simple pledge – for the memory of the fallen and future of the living to ‘Live On’.

The appeal will once again ask people to help support active servicemen and women, veterans of all ages and their families – with every penny raised in the fortnight before Remembrance Sunday going towards the charity’s ongoing efforts for the armed forces community.

Among those to have benefitted in recent times are two men whose stories typify the varied support on offered from the RBL.

Stansted man Sam Jack, 27, was helped with a compensation claim after being injured in Afghanistan, while Walter Jones, 81, of Halesworth, received contributions towards the cost of moving to a new bungalow when he was unable afford the fees.

Poppy Appeal volunteers are hoping to make this a record year, with funds raised across the region going towards the Royal British Legion’s (RBL) national target of £40 million – an increase on last year’s total of £39m.

Director of fundraising, Charles Byrne said: “We’re encouraging people to dig deep for this year’s Poppy Appeal to help us raise £40 million, so we can continue providing our vital support to individuals whether they’re still serving, transitioning back to civilian life or have left the services, and importantly their families too.”

To mark the launch of this year’s appeal, the RBL is set to stage a sunrise-to-sunset watch at the Cenotaph in central London, from 7.38am to 5.51pm today, with 50 members of the public joined by celebrities, members of the armed forces and charity beneficiaries who have been helped in recent years.

Anyone with a poppy can also Get involved in our #PoppySelfie campaign by taking a photo of them wearing a poppy and explaining why they are wearing it.

It could be for service friends, a relative who fought in the war, or in support of the work our armed forces do today.

Among local branches holding their own commemorative events, Woodbridge RBL will be leading a Poppy Parade through The Thoroughfare from 10.30am on Saturday.

The following Friday a remembrance concert will take place at the community hall, before branch members attend the nine war graves in the new cemetery on November 8.

Following an open air service on Market Hill for Remembrance Sunday, the memorial garden will be rededicated by Lord Tollemache following its recent restoration.