AN OVER Peover schoolboy has become the youngest ever poppy appeal organiser in the British Legion fundraiser’s 92-year history.

Jamie Cunningham, 16, has taken over managing the Over Peover and Chelford area from his brother Tom, who had to give up the post when he moved to Newcastle to study.

The sixth form student, who is studying maths, physics, chemistry and Spanish at The King’s School in Macclesfield, manages the distribution of poppies and collection of donations throughout the area, and hopes to top the £3,000 total achieved by his brother in 2011.

Jamie said: “I had no idea I was the youngest ever poppy appeal organiser.

“I just wanted to do something positive.”

Jamie’s grandfathers had key roles in Bomber Command during The Second World War.

His mother’s father Allan Richardson, who is now aged 94 and living in Norfolk, flew more than 30 sorties to Germany and 20 in the Far East as a wireless operator air gunner.

His father’s father, Eric Cunningham, piloted Wellington bombers during the war, but after beating the odds was killed in a light aircraft accident at RAF Kinloss when his son and Jamie’s dad was aged just 16.

Both his parents spent the majority of their own careers in the RAF. Gareth, Jamie’s father, worked as an aeronautical engineer and reached the rank of Wing Commander and his mother Viv worked as an air traffic control officer.

“Obviously I want to do this for my family, for both my grandfathers and in memory of all those who gave so much during The Second World War,” added Jamie.

“But for me it’s also about now and what we should be doing for our current military personnel as well.

“There have been so many other conflicts since The Second World War and today soldiers are coming back from the front line with horrific injuries, traumatised and in poverty, and the British Legion is a vital source of support.”

The Poppy Appeal 2013 was launched on October 24, and continues until Armistice Day on November 11.

For more information or to get involved visit britishlegion.org.uk