YOUNG cadets from Brize Norton were among those who took to the centre of Oxford as the Royal British Legion’s poppy appeal stepped up a gear.

The youngsters from 2267 (Brize Norton) Squadron joined cadets from Cowley, Banbury, Bicester and Kidlington in Bonn Square, Oxford, on Saturday to raise thousands of pounds for the RBL ahead of Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday.

It is hoped the event, which ran in the square from 10am to 3pm, will have raised between £3,000 and £4,000 for the RBL.

The fundraising came just a week before Armistice Day and Remembrance Sunday, when a number of events will see communities across the county come together to remember the fallen.

Will Dinmore, 16, of 2267 (Brize Norton) Squadron, was one of many cadets pounding the pavements to raise funds.

He said: “It’s been really good to be representing the cadets.

“It’s great to feel like you’re making a difference and contributing, and it’s important for the cadets to get out into the public.

“It’s important because it’s constant. There are service people out there on tours and in operations now – and being part of the air cadets you get to see a lot of that first hand.”

Priyanka Gandhi, 17, an air cadet in 2210 (Cowley) Squadron, added: “It’s nice to know we’re doing something that’s supporting a good cause.

“This is to help the families of people who have lost their lives – and those who are still fighting in wars today.”

The air cadets were selling the whole range of poppy-related items, from wristbands and badges to the classic paper poppy attached with a pin.

The Waterloo Band and Bugles of the Rifles was also on hand to entertain the crowds during the day.

Lynda Atkins, chairwoman of the Royal British Legion in Oxfordshire, said: “The response from people was just incredibly positive.

“To see so many people stopping to buy poppies or chat about the work the Royal British Legion does was great.

I think it’s important for us to get the message across that it isn’t just about the First and Second World Wars.

“The money we raise does help veterans but it may also help people in the future who aren’t even serving yet.”

Money raised through the Poppy Appeal funds the RBL’s work supporting anyone serving in the armed forces, or anyone who has previously served, and their families.

Support available to current and former servicemen and women includes a variety of advice services providing guidance on debt, careers and inquests. Support also takes the form of family holidays and adventure breaks for children.

The RBL was formed in 1921 to help veterans of the First World War and the families of the fallen.

REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY EVENTS IN WEST OXFORDSHIRE

A Remembrance Sunday parade and memorial service will take place in Witney.

Units representing the armed services and other organisations will gather in Market Square at 10am before moving to High Street at about 10.40am.

From there, a parade, under direction of the parade marshal and headed up by Witney Town Band, will head to the town's war memorial.

Ministers and members of the congregation from St Mary’s Church will join the others at the memorial, after which there will be a short service and wreath-laying ceremony.

Carterton's Remembrance Sunday service and parade will start at 9.45am at St John's Church, in Burford Road. Afterwards there will be a ceremony at the war memorial in Alvescot Road with a laying of wreaths and a two minute silence.

In Eynsham, the Royal British Legion and members of the village's three churches will gather at the war memorial from 10.45am to observe the silence.

In Chipping Norton, the Royal British Legion will assemble outside Sainsbury’s, in Market Place, at 10.15am before marching to St Mary’s Church for a service.

In Woodstock, a civic procession will leave the Town Hall for the war memorial at 10.45am, where there will be prayers and the laying of wreaths. A service will then be held in St Mary Magdalene Church in Park Street.