FRODSHAM residents who were furious over the theft of a poppy appeal box from their community have rallied together to raise a staggering £9,000 for the Royal British Legion.

Townsfolk were left disgusted at the actions of thief Bradley Higham, who was handed an eight-month jail sentence last month for swiping the legion’s charity box from Barclays Bank in Main Street on Armistice Day last year, as the town stood in silence to honour fallen soldiers.

Higham, 34, from Warrington, had already stolen cash from the Travelodge in Mickle Trafford just three days earlier.

Furious at the sickening thefts, Frodsham residents clubbed together to donate generously to the poppy appeal, with some giving up their time to collect donations in supermarkets and on the street.

Julie Dove, appeal coordinator for the legion’s Cheshire branch, said a ‘record amount of money’ had been raised.

“The legion was expecting the appeal in Frodsham to have dropped from last year’s total, but the reality was that the collecting tins were incredibly full and the result was quite a surprise,” she added.

“Morrison’s supermarket have been very supportive and allowed volunteers to come and collect at the store and the local cadets also stood collecting on the High Street on Saturdays.

“It is very disheartening for the volunteers and for the Frodsham branch of the Royal British Legion when tins are stolen because such losses deprive the serving and ex-service community of much needed assistance.

“We are very grateful to the people of Frodsham for their generosity which has boosted funds collected despite the theft of so many tins – it restores your faith when the public react with such generosity.”

Len Rugan, chairman of the Frodsham British Legion, added: “We were all disgusted and angry when the poppy box was stolen.

“But in a strange way it has been kind of silver lining. It has brought our community together and really brought the Frodsham branch to the forefront.

“We are over the moon at people’s generosity.”

HELSBY High School students have done a ‘terrific’ job in raising money for their village’s Poppy Appeal.

When the youngsters heard the Royal British Legion was in need of assistance following the retirement of the Poppy Appeal Organiser, they stepped up and helped to raise funds by giving up their time to collect at their school, on the streets and at Hapsford Service Station.

Julie Dove said: “They have worked together to raise a terrific amount in quite difficult circumstances for our beneficiaries.”