ROYAL British Legion members in Trowbridge gave a warm welcome to a former veteran who embarked on a challenge to visit 100 branches in 100 hours to raise £5,000 for the charity.

Trowbridge Branch chairman Captain Roy Zaman and Trowbridge Poppy Appeal organiser Rick Owen met Mike Homer, 82, at the town's railway station for just seven minutes before he departed for the next stop.

Mr Homer is the Poppy Appeal organiser for the RBL's Fareham Branch in Hampshire and last year set himself a unique challenge to visit 100 branches in 100 hours by train to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Legion's formation.

Mr Owen, 69, said: "It's hard to believe. He came to us on Day 3 and had already visited up to 47 branches."

As soon as Covid-19 guidelines allowed, Mr Homer set off to visit branches in Hampshire, Devon, Dorset, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucester, Worcestershire, Warwickshire and London.

Mr Homer said: "While a lot was raised in 2020, it is of course considerably down on a normal year because of the pandemic and every single penny is needed for the vital work of the Royal British Legion."

To help Mr Homer raise £5,000 for the RBL, go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/mike-homer1