Members of the Ballarat RSL are hoping to see a flood of red poppies around the city, with the annual Poppy Appeal beginning yesterday.
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The local club expects to sell more than $50,000 worth of poppies this year, with half of the proceeds assisting the Ballarat community.
The other 50 per cent goes to welfare for Victorian veterans, including funding nursing homes and hospitals.
Ballarat RSL sub-branch secretary Maurie Keating said there’s more veterans seeking help with household bills, food and medical expenses every year.
“Despite the fact that we haven’t had any major wars like World War II recently, there’s still many young ones coming through from Iraq and Afghanistan,” he said.
“It’s heartbreaking looking after them, so please get out there and buy a poppy, help us continue our work.”
The poppies will be sold until November 10, just before Remembrance Day honours those who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflict.
Poppies can be purchased from the Ballarat RSL sub-branch or from volunteers stationed around Ballarat.