A poppy appeal organiser, who has helped raise £30,000 in 35 years, is stepping down.

Yvette Brown with Falklands veteran Yanto Evans Yvette Brown, who has organised collections in several west Oxfordshire villages, said: "I am French-born and I have seen it as some sort of repayment to the British forces who are buried on French soil.

"Many times I have visited the war cemeteries in Normandy and northern France. I have been very proud to serve -- it is an honour," she said.

Mrs Brown started her work for the Royal British Legion when she lived with her first husband, a former member of the Parachute Regiment, in Aston. Her second husband and son also served in the forces.

She continued when she moved to Bampton, and then again to her home for the past 20 years at Davis Close, Carterton.

The villages she covered for the annual appeal as organiser were Bampton, Aston, Lew, Chimney and Shifford.

She has been one of 124 volunteer organisers in Oxfordshire and, though the appeal lasts for a short time, the work takes several months to complete.

"Years ago, the poppies used to come with leaves on them, now they are separate and you have to attach them. That takes a lot of time.

"And when you have got the money in you now have to count it yourself because the banks will no longer do it," she said.

"You also have to notify everyone of the amounts collected. It is a long job."

Mrs Brown, now 64, added she was honoured to be at this year's Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall -- "my grand finale."

She still, though, aims to "do her bit" as a volunteer collector in Carterton.

This year's Poppy Appeal collection for Bampton and Lew amounted to £2,147, a record.

In Bampton, the Poppy Appeal organiser's job is being handed over to Lynne Shuker.

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