THE Royal British Legion's annual Poppy Appeal is launched today.

The organisation is calling on our readers to wear their poppies with pride and back its 'Thank You' movement in the year that marks the end of the First World War centenary.

Director of fundraising, Claire Rowcliffe, said: "During the Poppy Appeal 2018 and as we mark the end of the First World War centenary in this historic year, we are calling on the nation to say 'Thank You' to the First World War generation.

"Not only the British Armed Forces, but those who fought alongside them from today's Commonwealth, the countless men, women and children who played their part of the home front and the pioneers and artists who have left long lasting legacies.

"The work of the Legion is as relevant and vital today as it was in the aftermath of the First World War when the charity was founded.

"The donation for your poppy will help the Legion support today's Armed Forces community through hardships, injury and bereavements.

"Generations of the Armed Forces have continued to serve and sacrifice since the First World War, and we recognise and thank them all for their unique contribution.

"This Poppy Appeal we have set our highest ever target at £50million.

"The Legion's work is entirely dependent on the public's generous support – so please wear your poppy with pride and dig deep, knowing that you are supporting our Armed Forces community."

Donations are used to offer life-long support to armed forces veterans, including providing crisis grants, researching the changing impact of blast injuries on the body.

Funds are also used to lobby government on issues affecting the Armed Forces community, specialist dementia care, sport and art based recovery programmes and advising on benefits and money problems.

To launch the appeal a six-metre high poppy installation has been unveiled at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London.

Poppy red threads featuring messages from the First World War generation reach out from this central point and are positioned to face in the exact direction of poignant partner locations across the UK.

The installations aim to highlight how the legacy of the First World War is woven through the fabric of the nation, often in unexpected places.

The messages written on the threads and the locations have been chosen to acknowledge the wide range of contributions from across the First World War generation.

The Poppy Appeal installations are available for the public to visit and timings are available on the Legion’s website at rbl.org.uk.

Supporting the movement in Merseyside is Royal Navy veteran David Street, who has his own personal reasons for wanting to say Thank You.

He said: "Everyone has a connection to the First World War, and we all have a reason to say Thank You for the legacy that extraordinary generation left for us.

"The First World War left countless legacies that positively impact our lives today, from ground breaking social change and timeless works of art to pioneering innovations.

"As we come to the end of the First World War Centenary now is the time to come together in our communities and say Thank You."