For a quarter of a century, Wendy Heydon has knocked on hundreds of doors to raise money for the annual Poppy Appeal.

But now the Royal British Legion could miss out on about £2,000 raised from doorstep sales of poppies each year if another volunteer does not step forward.

An urgent search is under way to find a new organiser for the Poppy Appeal in Yarnton and Begbroke for this autumn’s fund-raising drive.

Ms Heydon, 52, has held the role for the past 26 years but has decided to step down.

She first became involved with the appeal through her family.

Her father Michael Heydon organised the collections for many years, with her mother Enid stepping in after his death.

Ms Heydon said: “I helped my mother and then took over myself when she died.

“You don’t feel you can drop the role lightly but having recently moved to Kidlington and loosening my ties with Yarnton, I felt it was time to find someone else to take on the role.

“I think it would be a shame for it to fold and it would be nice for someone locally to take it on.

“I’m happy to help anyone who comes forward, as it’s quite a big job which needs careful planning.

“I’m happy to work alongside them at first and be ready to offer advice for as long as it’s needed.”

Yarnton & Begbroke Royal British Legion branch secretary Peter Talboys said: “Try as I might to find a replacement organiser, no-one has come forward.

“About £2,000 has been collected from door-to-door sales each year but ex-servicemen and women who need help may not benefit from such donations this year.

“Please, can somebody help us?”

The role involves the ordering of poppies and crosses, making up boxes of poppies for collection rounds, distributing them and then collecting the proceeds and unsold poppies after the two-week Remembrance period in October and November.

Expenses incurred in connection with organising the appeal will be reimbursed.

The money raised by the collections is counted for the RBL branch by Yarnton Post Office.

To find out more about the role, call Mr Talboys on 01865 375121.