Fundraising efforts for this year’s Poppy Appeal have received support from two prisoners.

Phil McCarthy and Frankie Thompson, who are currently serving sentences at the prison in Jurby, have helped to refurbish more than one thousand of the Royal British Legion’s (RBL) red collection boxes.

The boxes will be on shop counters around the island, as well as being used by the charity’s volunteers to accept donations during the 2018 period of Remembrance.

The Poppy Appeal is the Royal British Legion’s biggest fundraising campaign and helps to support its work for people who have served in the forces.

Phil and Frankie spent six weeks stripping down and relabelling the boxes to ensure they were ready for distribution in Douglas, Ramsey, Castletown, Braddan, Marown, Port Erin, Port St Mary, Laxey and Lonan.

The assistance of the two prisoners was offered by prison governor Bob McColm following an approach by senior officer Bob Quilliam who is a former committee member of the Douglas branch of the RBL.

The collection boxes were handed over at the prison to Hilary Cleverley, Isle of Man Poppy Appeal coordinator, Peter Chadney of the RBL Ramsey branch and Veronica Fairhurst of the RBL Douglas branch.

Hilary said: ’The Isle of Man has a proud record of fundraising for the Poppy Appeal and the help provided by Phil and Frankie has been invaluable ahead of this year’s campaign.

’I refurbished a handful of collection boxes myself, so know from personal experience the work required to ensure they are ready for use. On behalf of the Royal British Legion, I’d like to express my gratitude to the Isle of Man Prison for its support.’

Michael Coleman MLC, member of the Department of Home Affairs with responsibility for the prison, added: ’It is encouraging to see prisoners making a positive contribution to the local community through their charitable efforts.’