The Royal British Legion was formed in 1921 and is the nation's premiere ex-service charity, dedicated to caring for men and women who have served in the armed forces - and their dependents.

Its objects include promoting the welfare of ex-service men or women and their dependents and relieving hardship among them where it exists; raising and distributing money for these purposes; assisting serving men and women in their return to civilian life; and promoting the interests of their dependents while they themselves are still serving.

Under its Royal Charter, the Legion's help is available to all the categories above, regardless of whether they are its members. This represents some 15 million people, or one third of the population. Although it is now over 50 years since the last world war, demand for the Legion's services is still increasing and is set to continue rising for at least the next 10 - 15 years.

In 1996/7 the Legion spent £28.8m providing welfare services and relieving distress. This money was raised from donations. The Poppy Appeal itself raises around 50% of the Legion's funds, and the rest comes from other fundraising events, bequests etc.

For the annual Poppy Appeal, the Legion's poppy factory produces over 30 million poppies, about 90,000 wreaths and 400,000 remembrance crosses.