FOUR generations of the same family who have been selling poppies for 180 years between them were among people award at a ceremony.

The Denbigh family were one of 43 people who were thanked for giving up their time to sell poppies in and around Borehamwood at an event at the Royal British Legion, in Shenley Road, Borehamwood.

This year, the Borehamwood branch collected £32,853 – something Carol Denbigh, who has been helping organise the appeals for 50 years – says could not have been achieved without the help of the loyal volunteers.

The 65-year-old started selling poppies with her parents, John and Audrey Brown, around Borehamwood in 1965 when she was just 15.

The couple, who remain heavily involved in the legion, were also given awards for 55 years of service, while Carol’s children, Paul, Chrissie and Anthony, have 75 years between them.

Carol’s granddaughter, Grace, nine, was given an award for five years of service.

Carol, 65, said: “I can’t take credit for the success of the legion, it’s down to my volunteers. I organise it, but they do the rest.

“We do it because these poor people come back from wars disabled, purely because they fought for their country.

“We’ll be there forever. Since World War Two ended, there has only been one year since we haven’t been in conflict.

“The government don’t really offer so much support which is why it’s so important that we’ve got poppy volunteers and people who are willing to help raise money for them.”

Carole, who is married to Len, even continued selling poppies when she was diagnosed with cancer, two years ago.

Her parents met when they were stationed in Salisbury when they did National Service in the late 40s. Her mother’s father, Albert, lost an arm in World War Two while her other grandfather, Frederic, was killed by mustard gas and shrapnel during World War One.

She added: “Back when I first started we used to go selling poppies door to door but that’s not very safe anymore.

“We used to find an abandoned shop in Shenley Road and give the sellers coffee and soup and I’ve kept that tradition, but we do it in the All Saints Vestry instead.”

During the awards ceremony, held last Thursday, awards were also given to youth organisations who help sell poppies in November.

This included the 1372 Air Cadets, Borehamwood Army Cadets, 1 Company, Beds/Herts, Sainsbury’s and the 7th Borehamwood Scout Group.

Altogether, their service totals to 690 years.

In the last five years, the volunteers have helped raised £155,033 for the poppy appeal.

She said: “It’s so important to keep this legacy alive and that’s why these volunteers who we honoured at the ceremony are so invaluable to us.”

Anyone who wants to get involved and volunteer for the Royal British Legion’s poppy appeal in Borehamwood should call 0208 386 2900.