As a wave of young veterans are finding themselves and their families in need of assistance, it is now as important as ever to donate to the Poppy Appeal.

RSL sub branches from across Victoria are expecting to sell more than 500,000 poppies during this year’s initiative.

Ballarat RSL appeal officer Suzanne Jordan said it is crucial for the branch’s welfare programs.

“We've only got the two appeals a year which give a lot of welfare (support),” Ms Jordan said.

“We help with bills, rent and welfare. A lot of people help raise money and we cover a lot of things that people don't get from Centrelink anymore.”

The much loved, iconic red poppy is sold to raise funds for current and former servicemen and women in need.

“The Poppy Appeal is a cause that resonates with all Australians and each and every person who purchases a poppy feels a great sense of pride in wearing it in the lead up to and on Remembrance Day,” RSL Victoria appeals manager Peter Smith said.

“Not only does buying and wearing a poppy show respect for our country’s fallen heroes, but it helps raise vital funds to assist past and present servicemen and women and their dependents in times of need.”

Poppies were among the first plants to bloom in the devastated battlefields of France and Belgium and since 1921 they have been used in remembrance of those who fell during times of war.

As Ms Jordan said, “there aren't new war veterans, just old ones”.

“We can always do with volunteers at the RSL,” she added.

Help provided to veterans varies dramatically and is tailored to each and every case, but it can include direct financial assistance, medical expenses and the provision of mobility aids, home maintenance, food vouchers, education of dependents, funeral arrangements, the transition to civilian employment and advocacy to help secure compensation.

Poppies can be purchased from the Ballarat RSL sub branch or from volunteer collectors stationed at various locations within Ballarat from late October.