OXFORDSHIRE residents are being asked to dig deep to support the country's war heroes as the annual Poppy Appeal 2019 gets under way.

The Royal British Legion launched its biggest annual fundraising drive on Friday at a special ceremony at Shrivenham’s Defence Academy.

The Lord Lieutenant for Oxfordshire, Tim Stevenson, was present to officially mark the start of the Oxfordshire Poppy Appeal.

READ MORE: Emergency services respond as boat burns

For this year's fundraiser, the RBL is encouraging the nation to 'remember together all those from different cultures and nationalities who have served and sacrificed in the British Armed Forces.'

READ ALSO: Driver banned from the roads for 'repeatedly' using a phone at the wheel

Speaking of the drive for donations Lynda Atkins, Royal British Legion Trustee, said this year's theme - 'Remember Together' - celebrated all cultures and backgrounds.

She said: "Each day our Armed Forces provide an incredible service to our country in all kinds of ways.

Oxford Mail:

"This year we are encouraging communities to join together in Remembrance activities of all sorts, to remember the wide-ranging contributions people from all cultures and backgrounds have made through their service.

"We were privileged to launch Oxfordshire’s Poppy Appeal at the Defence Academy, where personnel from lots of different nationalities and backgrounds who attend the Academy really epitomise the ‘Remember Together’ theme for this year’s appeal."

Alongside members of service personnel and representatives from the RBL, The Lord Lieutenant for Oxfordshire was in attendance on Friday to officially launch the appeal.

READ ALSO: Oxford murder: full story of Luciano Dos Santos Almeida's death

He was presented with the first Poppy in Oxfordshire, at Shrivenham’s Defence Academy, by the Station Commander, Wing Commander Rob Hart.

Ms Atkins pointed out that every single donation made in support of the Poppy Appeal was important.

She said: "Every donation received will make a real difference not only to the lives of Service men and women and veterans, but to their families.

"It will also make a difference to those who can experience difficulties dealing with the circumstances of a loved one who is serving.

"The money raised through the Poppy Appeal will enable the Legion to continue its vital work delivering life-long support to Service and ex-Service personnel and their families through hardships, injuries and bereavements.”

The Legion uses the donations it receives in many ways including providing crisis grants, sport and art-based recovery programmes.

READ AGAIN: First look inside: The Ivy Oxford Brasserie

Specialist dementia care, lobbying the government on issues that affect the services community as well as advice and support are all services offered by the legion.

This year, nationwide, the Poppy Appeal is aiming to raise more than £50m.

The Oxfordshire Poppy Appeal in 2016/2017 raised a total of £604,963.75.

The appeal will run until Remembrance Sunday which this year will be held on Sunday November 10, a day before Armistice Day which is held on November 11.