Residents and staff from a Greenock care home dug deep to volunteer for Poppy Scotland

Poppy Scotland’s Greenock and Gourock co-ordinator, Christine Love, works at Larkfield View and had launched an appeal for local volunteers.

Residents from the home were quick to sign up when they heard about her plea for new recruits.

Elsie Maclennan, manager at Larkfield View, said: “We spoke to Christine about the work she does and when we heard she was looking for volunteers we decided to do what we could to help.

“We went round the residents and asked if anyone them wanted to give up some time to collect for Poppy Scotland at local supermarkets.

“The response was amazing.

"They were delighted to be able to help such a worthwhile cause.”

Staff member Tony O’Neill and colleagues Lauren Chalmers, Nicola Stewart, Lindsay Arkley and Kevin O’Donnell took part in a collection at Tesco while residents Danny Tolan, Vitie Arbor, Peter McArthur and Wilma Rhodes also went along to lend a hand and chat to people about the importance of remebrance.

Resident Danny Tolan said: “I felt elated just to be able to lend a hand and perform a good deed for such a worthwhile cause.”

Elsie also organised a collection at Morrisons attended by fellow staff member Linda Daisley and residents Margaret Kane and Vitie.

Vitie, who took part in both collections said: “It meant everything to me to be able to help.

"My dad fought in the Second World War but we were lucky because he came home, not everyone did.”

Elsie added: “The residents spoke to people in the community, making them aware of why they were there and explaining the reason for the poppy being slightly different this year.

“People stopped to chat and they saw that our residents are still very much part of the community.

"They took a two hour slot and we were all very proud to be able to help.

“We would like to thank Christine for allowing us to help for a few hours, the response was amazing and everyone was so generous. Thank you to everyone who took time to stop by, chat and donate.”

Christine told the Tele: "Having the residents and staff helping to collect was great, it was their way of helping veterans and doing something meaningful.

"Many people stopped to talk to them.

"They smiled all day and were glad to be out and about in the community.

"Elsie has been fantastic at getting everyone involved and I can't thank her, the staff and the residents enough."