THE son of a North-East soldier killed in Afghanistan helped launch a city’s Poppy Appeal today (October 29).

Brandon Campbell’s father Steven Campbell, of Pelton, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, died in an explosion near Sangin on March 22, 2010.

Serjeant(CORR) Campbell, of 3rd Battalion The Rifles, was formerly based at Catterick Garrison, in North Yorkshire, where an accommodation block has since been named after him.

Twelve-year-old Brandon, a pupil at Park View School, helped launch the Durham City and Framwellgate Moor branch of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal at Durham Town Hall.

He received the appeal’s first poppy from Coun John Wilkinson, the Mayor of Durham.

Also present were Frank Roebuck, a Second World War glider pilot, who received some miniature medals, and Andrew Wardle, who was awarded the Military Cross for bravery in Afghanistan.

Sjt Campbell’s widow, Lisa, said his family were planning to dedicate an oak tree in his memory in the forthcoming Patriot Wood, near Chester-le-Street.