We will remember them.

Those four words are annually relayed at Remembrance Services around the country and acknowledged by us all.

While we traditionally remember those who served in the First and Second World Wars, the sacrifices made in other conflicts in more recent years have made the month of Remembrance even more significant for younger people, which is reflected in the rising numbers of Poppy Appeal volunteers this year from the younger generation.

Bradford’s new war memorial bears the names of those killed in active service since the Second World War, in conflicts such as the Korean War and in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The memorial, proposed by the widow of Sergeant Peter Rayner, who died in Afghanistan in 2010, bears the Bradford Crest, the Joint Services crest depicting air, land and sea, and a Yorkshire Rose.

Support for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal has increased in recent years as servicemen and women have returned from Iraq in Afghanistan, bearing the scars of their sacrifice.

Some have lost limbs, others suffering from post-traumatic stress beyond comprehension and some have paid the ultimate price for sacrificing their life to serve their country.

Many of these young soldiers are from the Bradford district.

Last week, Bradford launched its Poppy Appeal with the city’s Poppy Appeal organiser, Barbara Allsopp, handing over the first poppy to the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Khadim Hussain.

The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal is the charity’s significant fundraiser and it needs all the help it can get to increase funds to meet the growing demand on its services.

“The most demand is from Iraq and Afghanistan because so many are coming back maimed for life,” says Barbara.

The Royal British Legion spends around £1.5 million pounds a week helping ex-servicemen and women and their families, according to Barbara.

Those figures put into perspective the need for many of us not just to remember these sacrifices, but also to recognise them by putting our hands in our pockets and helping to fill the tins we see being rattled in supermarkets and shopping centres by dedicated volunteers.

Last year, the appeal managed to raise more than £60,000 in the city – £130,000 in total across the ten Royal British Legion branches throughout the Bradford district – and while the takings were down on the previous year, says Barbara, Bradfordians continue to give generously.

“I have always said the citizens of Bradford are real. They give every year to the Poppy Appeal. They are fantastic. You can’t wish for any better people,” says Barbara.

Now in her 60s, Barbara is continuing a family legacy. Her parents, Sam and Gladys, were Forces sweethearts, having met in the Royal Artillery. Sam was the city’s poppy appeal organiser for 20 years before Barbara took on the role.

She recalls putting poppies together as a young girl. These days, half of the city’s 60,000-plus supply of poppies are already made, but Barbara and her handful of volunteers have to make up the rest.

With the administration, distribution and sales, running the city’s Poppy Appeal is a year-long operation and the need for younger volunteers to join the ranks has never been greater.

Barbara has seen a swell in support among younger people, and this year she and her team have some younger supporters in the city’s cadet troops helping with poppy sales in shopping centres and supermarkets.

“This year we have had 18 and 19-year-olds offering to help on a night after school or at weekends when they’ve got a bit of time because they know we need the younger end,” says Barbara. “It makes me proud.”

The appeal needs more volunteers, particularly to cover the supermarket collections. Volunteers must be 18 or over.

“If you get involve,d you will enjoy it and you’ll meet different people. It is tiring, but it is worthwhile, especially when you get little ones coming up with their mums and dads wanting to put coins in and you see their little faces when you put a poppy on their jacket,” says Barbara.

While conscious of the impact of the recession and other demands on people’s finances, Barbara adds: “Every little bit goes a long, long way to help servicemen and women and their families.”

Anyone wanting more information about becoming a volunteer for the Poppy Appeal should call (01274) 726020.