THE Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal in Cheshire was launched at Crewe station yesterday.

The 1940s themed event on October 23 saw mayor of Cheshire East, Dorothy Flude, declare the appeal officially open.

Virgin trains invited the appeal to use platform 12, where couples in wartime dress appeared alongside 1940s singer, Maria Manchester .

Spokesman Richard Stanton said: “ Every donation received for a poppy will make a real difference to the lives of Armed Forces families .

“ Crewe station played its part in The Second World W r with soldiers leaving from this station, some making the ultimate sacrifice and not returning.”

The fundraising target in Cheshire is £1 million, which will go towards the Legion’s national target of £37 million to continue its work delivering direct, practical care and support to the Armed Forces community .

Julie Dove of The Royal British LEgion said: “The Royal British Legion stands shoulder to shoulder with all who serve and have served, and their families , for as long as they need that help and support.”

The Royal British Legion director of fundraising, Charles Byrn, added: “ We support the entire Armed Forces community past and present, but families are at the heart of the Poppy Appeal 2013.

“ We recognise the strength of mothers, fathers, partners and kids in Armed Forces families, who serve alongside their loved ones every single day, and often need practical care and advice too .

“ We’r e encouraging people to dig deep for the Poppy Appeal, so we can continue providing this vital support to individuals whether they’re still serving, transitioning back to civilian life or have left the Services, but importantly to their dependents too .”

The Legion provides wide ranging, and practical support to Armed Forces families in need, including crisis grants, family breaks, benef its and money advice and at times sadly, inquest advice .

Every poppy helps raise the £1.6 million needed by the Legion each week to deliver practical help and advice to Armed Forces community