Poppy fundraiser raises £4,000 since age of four

Ruby sells homemade poppy-themed crafts to raise money for the Royal British Legion

The Royal British Legion has thanked a 10-year-old girl from Shropshire who has been raising money for the charity since she was just four.

Ruby, who lives near Shawbury, started collecting for the poppy appeal by clearing empty glasses in a local pub.

Now, she sells homemade poppy-themed crafts.

"I started raising money because my dad's a veteran, so it helps him and all the other veterans who served for us," she said.

Ruby has produced a range of cards and other products, which she has sold in shopping centres in Telford and Shrewsbury.

Although she has been crafting for the charity since she was five, production has ramped up in the past two years, raising more than £3,700.

With her previous efforts, the total now exceeds £4,000.

"It makes me feel quite proud of myself, because when I was younger I never thought I'd raise that much money", she told BBC Radio Shropshire.

Ruby has been selling her crafts in local shopping centres

The county chairman of the Royal British Legion, Ian Williams, thanked Ruby for her efforts.

"Every penny that you've raised so far will benefit those in need, and you're an inspiration to us all," he said.

Stressing the importance to the charity of young people getting involved, he added: "There are a lot of soldiers in our generation that have come out from wars with disabilities both mental and physical, and they all need our support."

Show of support

The annual poppy appeal was introduced in 1921, three years after the end of World War One.

The Legion describes the wearing of poppies as a "show of support" for the armed forces communities.

The use of poppies as a symbol of remembrance was inspired by the war poem In Flanders Fields.