Residents can support former and active soldiers on the island through the annual poppy appeal, which will be under way soon.

Carol Everson, a welfare case worker with the Bermuda Legion that runs the fundraiser, said the organisation expanded its remit to assist serving troops last year.

She explained: “Everything we raise goes to the welfare of our soldiers and veterans; we help them with anything that they need, but we also have avenues and ways that we can go to England for veterans’ help.

“We have a special duty of care to Second World War veterans and their widows.”

The organisation is looking for corporate sponsors and individual volunteers to sort through poppies or sell them throughout the island on November 7 and 9.

Ms Everson added: “We have some poppies from last year, we have several thousand Bermuda poppies and 6,000 for schoolchildren.

“People may donate any amount they wish; a 50 cent donation is 50 cents that we did not have before and is beautiful”.

Poppies, a symbol for military personnel who died in war, will also be available at the Russell Eve Building on Church Street — hopefully from Monday — until after Remembrance Day.

Several churches will pay tribute to veterans in King’s Square, St George, on November 10 and the annual Remembrance Day parade will take place along Front Street on November 11.

• Call Carol Everson on 732-0100 or nosoldierleftbehind65@gmail.com to volunteer or learn more about the poppy appeal