The Royal Canadian Legion’s annual fundraiser encouraging people to buy and wear poppies is underway.

Gerald Mullins, poppy chair for Branch 3 of the Legion in Chatham, presented the first poppy on Wednesday to city councillor Tara Ross-Robinson on behalf of mayor Adam Lordon. In Blackville, mayor Ian Fortune accepted a ceremonial first poppy from Legion Branch 49 president Greg Matchett and member Kathy Hennessy.

Donations to the poppy campaign are held in trust at the branch level, and all proceeds are used to assist veterans and their families.

Mullins said the legions will sometimes use poppy fund money for scholarships that are given to relatives of veterans, and to donate to hospital foundations for life-saving equipment that serves veterans as well as the general public.

Last year was the 100th anniversary of poppies being used as a remembrance symbol.

The Royal British Legion held the first poppy campaign in 1921, and raised more than 106,000 pounds to help First World War veterans find employment and housing.