Shane Richie has joined forces with The Royal British Legion to urge the public to volunteer their spare time during this year’s Poppy Appeal campaign.

One of Britain’s most familiar faces, Shane, accompanied by serving military personnel at City Hall in London, launched the Legion’s Poppy People campaign – a national recruitment drive for Poppy Appeal volunteers.

The campaign is calling on those in the local area to dedicate a few hours to make a huge difference to the 6.2 million members of the Armed Forces community that are eligible for help from the Legion.

Each year more than 100,000 poppy volunteers are needed across the country to raise much-needed funds to support current and former Armed Forces personnel, and their families.

The Legion is looking for enthusiastic people of all ages and backgrounds to help run the Poppy Appeal in local communities across the nation to form part of its army of fundraisers.

Officially launching this year’s Poppy People campaign, Shane said: “The Legion’s work is vital to our guys and gals currently serving in the Armed Forces and for all our veterans and their families across the nation.

“I’m proud to be helping out with this year’s campaign; it’s such a great cause.

Claire Rowcliffe, Director of Fundraising, said: "The Poppy Appeal is The Royal British Legion’s main fundraising event of the year. Our volunteers are very much the lifeblood of the Poppy Appeal and contribute enormously to the charity year-round through a variety of roles.

“We welcome all ages and all backgrounds, people don’t have to be associated with the Armed Forces, they just need to be passionate about the cause.

“We’d love all who want to volunteer with us to get in contact and be part of a team that helps the Armed Forces community and promotes understanding of Remembrance.”