75544-44A WROUGHTON gran who has devoted 40 years to the Poppy Appeal has received recognition for her selfless work.

Susan Dyer, 58, of Perry's Lane, started collecting funds for the Royal British Legion when she was 15, with her late father, Fred Pittaway, a military drill instructor.

Since then, she has made it her personal mission to follow in his footsteps.

Speaking before last night's award ceremony at Ellendune Community Centre, Mrs Dyer, a retired RAF nurse, vowed to continue selling the poppies for as long as she could.

She said: "It's such a worth-while cause. Everyone tends to think that the British Legion only helps survivors of the two world wars.

"But the organisation is help-ing many families right now as troops serve in Iraq."

Mrs Dyer, who had two spells working at the former Princess Alexander RAF Hospital, Wroughton, added: "Selling poppies is just something I do every year.

"I don't even think about it. I love doing it so much.

"I'm pleased that the work has been recognised but there are an awful lot of other people around Swindon who also give up their spare time each year. Some would have done it longer than I have."

Mrs Dyer, with her strong family connection, is a staunch supporter of the armed services.

"My father always used to sell the poppies," she said.

"He was one of the first drill instructors in the RAF Regiment, which was formed in 1942.

"I wanted to follow in his foot-steps and do something to help servicemen and women."

While based at the RAF hospital, Mrs Dyer, originally from Doncaster, met her husband, John, 77, a former psychiatric nurse.

Mr Dyer said: "She really deserves this recognition. She's been involved in poppies for years."

Coun Ann Richards, vice-chair of Wroughton Parish Council, which organised the presenta-tion, said the village was proud of its strong military tradition.

"Because of the air base and the former RAF hospital we have a lot of ex-service people living in the village," she said.

"We've always had a strong poppy appeal and we're all very grateful to people like Susan who give up such huge amount of time."

The Royal British Legion, founded in 1921, is the UK's leading charity.

It provides financial, social and emotional support to millions of people who have served and are currently serving in the Armed Forces, and their dependants.

Currently the charity looks after nearly 11 million people across the world.

Kevin Shoesmith