FEARS the county’s poppy fund could lose out on more than £30,000 this year are over after the Oxford Mail helped find a new appeal organiser for Bicester.

On August 29, we reported how the role of organiser had become vacant and without a replacement, Poppy Appeal collections in Bicester might not go ahead.

But former Bullingdon Prison governor Barry Larner spotted the Royal British Legion’s plea for help and promptly volunteered.

Mr Larner, 62, who retired as one of the prison’s governors in 2004, said: “I read about Bicester needing a Poppy Appeal organiser and went to find out more about it.

“Like most people I am very aware of the importance of the appeal and the good it does, and I was very pleased to volunteer.”

Since retiring from the prison service Mr Larner has been driving a bus to take elderly people to the Bicester Day Centre, and has also fundraised for the cancer charity Macmillan.

He added: “Being a poppy organiser will be a lot of work but I am looking forward to meeting all the Bicester collectors, encouraging them, and hopefully raising even more money than in past years for this great cause.”

The position of Bicester appeal organiser became vacant after Brian Bailey, 73, stepped down.

Mr Bailey has helped co- ordinate the town’s successful Poppy Appeal for the past five years – last year as organiser, when the appeal pulled in an impressive £32,000 through a 60-strong team of collectors.

But other commitments meant he had to step back from the role.

He will now be assisting Mr Larner.

Mr Larner will take overall responsibility for Bicester’s volunteer collectors, together with shops, businesses and schools in the town and the village of Launton.

All proceeds from the Poppy Appeal are used to support former and serving service families.

Laura Laffan, community fundraiser for Bucks/Oxon, said: “I would like to thank Barry for taking over as the Bicester Poppy Appeal organiser.

“The role can be time consuming and is not a task that many will take on lightly.

“Lots of planning and organisation is required to ensure that poppies are delivered to shops and businesses, liaising with collectors as well as collecting and counting all the money at the end of the appeal. Without people like Barry the Poppy Appeal would not be what it is today.

“I would also like to thank the Oxford Mail for all their help in finding a replacement for Brian Bailey.”

  • People are still needed to collect for the Poppy Appeal. If you can spare any time, get in touch by calling Linda on 07917 267737 or email llaffan@britishlegion.org.uk with your details and areas where you could help