Following a year which saw poppy-sellers, and cenotaphs, being abused, the news that Bradford’s Poppy Appeal has raised more than ever before is heartening.

“I cannot thank the citizens of Bradford enough. They have been absolutely terrific,” says Barbara Allsopp, Bradford Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal organiser for the past 12 years.

Conscious of the recession and the impact it is having on people’s pockets, Barbara wasn’t anticipating toppinig last year’s target of £65,000 – but she has revealed that this year’s appeal has raised £73,500, which she says is the biggest in the Bradford banch’s history.

The news comes after the Royal British Legion condemned the abuse and assaults suffered by poppy sellers in Bradford last year – the first it has ever recorded.

Incidents included a young thug spitting in the face of a 13-year-old female Army Cadet, two Asian girl cadets suffering verbal abuse for selling poppies, two other sellers being set upon in the city centre, and a gang threatening sellers for their collecting tins.

“I think it is downright disgusting,” says Barbara. “The cadets are trying to help servicemen and women that have not just served in other conflicts but are serving today, and getting killed and maimed for life.

“The cadets have never had this sort of problem before. It’s not right. The thugs should hang their heads in shame.”

Superintendent Owen West, of Bradford South Police, said: “Those who work to distribute poppies should not expect to be confronted with violence, intimidation or abuse.

“Anyone found to have targeted sellers in this way will be robustly dealt with by both the police and the courts.”

The abuse came at a time when the Royal British Legion, like many other charities, was trying to soldier on despite the grim economic climate.

A month before the Poppy Appeal launched in Bradford, Barbara was concerned there wouldn’t be sufficient volunteers to rattle the tins.

An appeal in the T&A attracted more volunteers, but more are needed for this year. Barbara says co-ordinating such a large-scale appeal wouldn’t be possible without volunteers and helpers.

“A Poppy Appeal organiser is only as good as the helpers and volunteers behind it,” she says.

Barbara believes the conclift in Afghanistan has been the catalyst for the increased contributions to the Poppy Appeal.

“It is in everybody’s minds. It’s in the papers, on the TV, it’s everywhere you look and people think ‘who is going to help them?’ so they put more money in,” explains Barbara.

The Royal British Legion provides practical care, advice and support to the Armed Forces, and campaigns for politicians to improve the lives of servicemen and women and their families.

The Poppy Appeal enables vital welfare work for service people and ex-service people.

The appeal officially runs from September to September, this is when the paperwork is carried out and the preparations are made for the following year’s appeal.

For Barbara, it’s a labour of love. The daughter of Forces sweethearts, she grew up with the Poppy Appeal and her children and her grandchildren have also been involved.

Barbara says raising awareness among younger people is imperative to ensuring that organisations such as the Royal British Legion survive.

The charity is reaching out to schools by sending out special packs with informative CDs and literature teaching youngsters about the history and importance of the Poppy Appeal.

While much of the money comes from people putting their spare change into tins in supermarkets and on the streets – around 1,300 tins are sent out around the district – many more organisations do their bit too.

The Bradford branch receives cheques from local churches as well as donations from members of the public.

Barbara tells the heart-warming tale of someone who gave £250 cash from their birthday. “They are thinking about where the money is going and how useful it is going to be. Because it was cash, we were able to help an ex-serviceman straight away with that money. We were able to go to one of the shopping centres and buy him things he needed for his home,” says Barbara.

“I don’t know how we do it. It makes me feel proud to be in my position,” says Barbara. “We could not do it without the citizens of Bradford. They are fantastic.”