THE Bere Alston branch of the Royal British Legion is starting its house-to-house collection next Saturday (October 27) in aid of the Poppy Appeal. Last year Bere Alston raised more than £1,600, in Devon £631,000 and throughout the UK the amount collected was in excess of £26 million. The amount raised goes towards helping the former service community with items including poppy funds, poppy advice, poppy homes and poppy breaks. The RBL was founded in 1921 as a voice to support the former service community of the first world war, and although needs have changed over the years, the RBL is still there to safeguard their welfare, interest and memory.