IT is almost a century ago that millions of British soldiers made huge sacrifices in the First World War.

Times may have changed but we continue to pay a debt of gratitude to those who fought for our freedom.

This year the Royal British Legion (RBL) is aiming to raise £90million to celebrate its 90th anniversary - and Middlewich’s 850 members are determined to do their bit.

The RBL team in Lewin Street is looking for the support of Guardian readers as they embark on a challenge to raise £20,000 to help past and present servicemen.

Poppy Appeal organiser Ken Kingston, who served in the Territorial Army, said: “People don’t realise how many need help in Middlewich.

“We are still tackling poverty among older veterans, widows, widowers and their families together with poverty, disability and confusion among many younger veterans and their families.”

The RBL was set up in 1921 - three years after the First World War ended.

It has since provided invaluable support for Second World War veterans and their families and continues to help soldiers returning from current conflicts like Afghanistan.

The Middlewich branch was set up 78 years ago in Civic Way and moved to larger premises in Lewin Street in 1961.

Just last year, members made 79 visits to housebound and hospitalised servicemen, sent five couples to Poppy break centres and attended 12 funerals in the Middlewich area.

Ken, whose grandfather Michael Bird served in the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, added: “The nature of this work means that these needs are dealt with in confidence by a very few dedicated trained volunteer caseworkers.

“We also attend the funerals of ex-service personnel in the area - sometimes sadly we make up the majority of those in attendance.

“Recent conflicts, particularly the Afghan War, mean that we are supporting more young service personnel returning with severe injuries, missing limbs and sight loss.

“Some will need RBL support for the rest of their lives.”

The Middlewich RBL branch costs around £160,000 a year to run.

Club secretary John Foster, whose son and father both served in the Navy, added: “To do all this we rely on people helping us and supporting our functions.

“If people came to the events it would give us more chance to raise the money we need.

“A lot of people who have moved to Middlewich don’t realise what the club has got.”

The RBL is one of the mayor’s charities.

Town Mayor Mike Parsons, who first attended the club on his 21st birthday, said: “We’re an age group which is fortunate because our parents and grandparents went to war but we haven’t.

“It’s imperative that their sacrifices are never forgotten.”

- To make a donation to Middlewich RBL, call 833286 - A show evening to celebrate the RBL’s 90th birthday is being held March 19 at the Lewin Street club - The Middlewich club has also organised a service at St Helen’s Church in Northwich to celebrate the anniversary on July 3