Ipswich pride: Poppy appeal launched at Ipswich's Town Hall

Cllr Elango Elavalakan, the mayor of Ipswich, launched the poppy appeal with the Royal British Legion on the steps of the Cornhill on Saturday.

Members of the Royal British Legion and armed forces marched through the town.  (Image: Shikhar Talwar) Members of the Royal British Legion and armed forces were on parade in the town centre, to mark the occasion.

The Poppy Appeal also set up its own stall within Ipswich Market for anyone to buy their poppies or donate money to veterans and their families. 

The poppy appeal had its own stall at the market.  (Image: Shikhar Talwar) Last year, the people of Ipswich raised over £100,000 and this year the Ipswich wing of the legion hopes to exceed that amount.

At the opening, the mayor said: "Money raised will help aid and support members and ex-members of the armed forces and their families.

"World War One and World War Two saw over 2,000 Ipswich residents dead, and over 3,000 had life-changing injuries. 

The mayor gave a speech at the launch of the appeal.  (Image: Shikhar Talwar) "The British Legion have given over 100 years of service and continue their good work to this day. 

"I have just heard that last year Ipswich raised over 100,000 for the legion. This should be a figure that we are proud of."

There is also a large poppy placed at the town hall that will stay there till the end of November.  (Image: Shikhar Talwar) Members of the Royal British Legion are able to use a room at the Town Hall as a base and will be selling poppies and other fund-raising items around the town over the next three weeks.

There is also a large poppy placed on top of the town hall that will stay there till the end of November.

Remembrance Sunday is on November 10 and in Ipswich there will be Armistice Day ceremonies with local schoolchildren on November 11.