Barking & Dagenham College students raise £10k through Poppy Appeal

Protective services students from Barking and Dagenham College participated in their 11th annual campaign, which involved running poppy stalls at Tesco stores in Elm Park, Hornchurch, and in the Rainham area.

Level 3 student Eyshila De Carvalho-Contreirad said: "This experience was fantastic.

"I really got to challenge myself because I don’t normally speak to people, but this gave me the opportunity to approach them.

"Some of the customers even shared stories about the war or explained why they support the cause – for example, because a brother or grandad served.

"It made me feel proud to help the charity."

The students raised £9,763.56 for the Royal British Legion, with an additional £170 collected through a stall set up on Remembrance Sunday.

Several students also volunteered as marshals at the Elm Park RBL event on the same day.

Gwen Edwards, curriculum manager for sport and protective services at Barking and Dagenham College, said: "I am incredibly proud of our students for their hard work, dedication and professionalism throughout the Poppy Appeal this year.

"The amount raised is outstanding."