Bristol fighting spirit defies Poppy Appeal thieves

Businesses who had their poppy tins stolen in Bristol bounced back from the disappointment to raise money anyway.

Yesterday the Evening Post reported that 33 tins were stolen from bars, restaurants and banks in and around the city centre.

The thefts have cost the Royal British Legion's Poppy Appeal an estimated £3,000.

But staff at many of the businesses affected were determined to support the cause.

At the Bristol Ram customers clubbed together after the theft and raised more than £400.

Manager Primrose Smith put up a notice to say the tin had been stolen and people dipped into their pockets again, while regulars Billy Thomas and Guy Driffield also came up with the idea of having a sponsored burger eating contest.

By the time the RBL representative arrived, landlord Alex Major was able to hand over a cheque for £430.80 pence.

Mr Major said: "The Poppy Appeal box was tied to the bar but was stolen on November 11. When the veteran came to pick it up he was clearly saddened by what had happened so we decided to do something about it.

"People were so generous and then Guy ate a triple burger with 27 ounces of beef with salad, chips and onion rings.

"In the end, instead of just raising around £80 we were able to hand over a much bigger cheque."

Roger Duddridge, the chairman of the Legion's Bristol branch and deputy chairman of the Somerset county RBL, said that many premises affected by the thefts were able to make a donation through the generosity of their staff or customers.

He said that businesses included The Hole in the Wall, Premier Lodge in King Street, the Llandoger Trow, and HSBC on College Green.