ORGANISERS of a charity crusade want to thank supporters who helped raise more than £1,000.

Willington Community Partnership ran this year's poppy appeal collection because the town's Royal British Legion branch has disbanded.

Partnership members want to thank the communities of Hunwick, Helmington Row, Willington, Oakenshaw and Sunnybrow for donations towards the £1,148.84 raised.

The Royal British Legion will use the funds to help servicemen and women.

Ian Townsend, of the Royal British Legion, said service people are on duty every day of the year and the legion is always on active duty.