Kelly launches Scots poppy appeal

Organisers of the poppy appeal hope to raise a record �2m this year

Lorraine Kelly has presented a poppy to a former soldier blinded in Iraq at the launch of this year's veterans appeal.

The television presenter is giving Poppyscotland her support as they aim to raise a record �2m for those injured in wars and their families.

Ben Shaw, 25, lost his sight after his vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb in Basra in February last year.

He was joined at the appeal launch in Dundee by Eric Gurr, who fought in the Korean War.

They will feature in a TV advert to raise funds.

'All the sacrifices'

Ms Kelly said: "I think it's so, so important that we show our thanks and our gratitude to men and women that have done so much for us and I think it's particularly important in these times.

"If everybody can just give what they can. It would be fantastic if everybody gave a pound that would be amazing.

"Really, I think it's just awfully important for us to remember all the sacrifices that have been made so that we can live the kind if lives that we can live today."

Chief executive of Poppyscotland Jim Panton added: "One of our big things for this year is to continue to raise the point that as well as the World War II veterans, that there are still a vast number of, and who still have many needs for us to look after, there are more and more veterans from the younger age groups that we're helping and their families as well."

Mr Shaw agreed: "The modern day warfare seems to be forgotten about because they're further away from home - like the Falklands, the first Gulf and obviously Iraq and Afghanistan this time.

"The further away from home they are, people don't really seem to realise they're going on as much, so it's nice that it's being made more aware to people."

Poppyscotland raised �1.76m during last year's appeal.

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