Haywards Heath deputy transport manager raises £26,000 for Poppy Appeal in Hassocks

Mark Collins, 47, of Bentswood Road, has lived in the town his whole life and works as deputy transport manager for Bluebird Community Transport Sussex.

This year he used two weeks leave to collect money from 7am to 3pm every day at South Downs Nurseries and Garden Centre in Hassocks, even in rainy weather.

“It was very good actually,” said Mark who was accompanied by his friend and fellow fundraiser Neil Thomas. “We were very busy on Sunday. Some days it was very quiet and you would get fits and starts. They were long days but was worth it for the amount of money we actually received.”

Mark said he decided to take on the two-week Poppy Appeal challenge this year after having to cancel a trip to the Isle of Wight with his father in July.

He said: “I thought ‘I’ll do the poppies instead of sitting at home twiddling my thumbs’.”

Mark said he and Neil belong to a couple of military vehicle groups, one being the Military Vehicle Trust (MVT) and the other being Invicta Military-Vehicle Preservation Society (IMPS).

When they first started collecting funds Mark owned a military Land Rover, while Neil owned a motorcycle, so they and their friends used to park their vehicles outside the garden centre.

He said: “We never set ourselves a target each year. We like to try to do something different, but we’re very pleased with the amount of money that we’ve actually taken.”

Marie Claire Macintosh, business development and travel buddy co-ordinator for Community Transport Sussex, said: “We are exceptionally proud of our hard-working colleague.”

She said: “The money will be put to good use helping all service personnel who need help through the British legion, whether it be helping supply mobility scooters, or help with welfare issues.”

The Poppy Appeal is the Royal British Legion’s biggest fundraising campaign and is held every year in November during the Remembrance period.

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