It sounds like a lot of money. But the reality is that it represented only about a third of what the British Legion needs to carry out its vital work, much of it funding Poppy Support, the range of welfare services set up to help those who served or continue to serve in the Armed Forces.

As this year's appeal gathers pace in the lead-up to the ceremonies to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice during their service for their country, it is worth reflecting on the fact that there are still 4,500 British Armed Forces personnel in Iraq and nearly 8,000 others in Afghanistan. Among them are a number of young men and women from the Mansfield and Ashfield area.

The need for a charity to deal with the human cost of such conflict remains very much the same today as it did 90 years ago when the First World War ended.

Some 10.5 million serving and ex-Service people and their families are eligible for the Royal British Legion' range of welfare services, which includes grant-making to those in need, pensions and benefits advice, counselling and job retraining, home and hospital visits as well as the provision of full nursing care.

We may live in very uncertain times, but what is certain is the need for more and more money to offset the demands being made on the British Legion every year.

Local folk are renowned for their generosity but, as the economic downturn starts to bite, it is asking too much to expect them to dig even deeper. The Government should give a commitment to make up the shortfall from now on.