Two collection boxes raising money for war veterans have been stolen in the run-up to Remembrance Sunday.

The poppy tins left in the Asda garage in Allum Lane, Elstree and Halifax in Shenley Road, Borehamwood were found to be missing earlier this week.

The poppy collection coordinator for Borehamwood and Elstree Carol Denbigh, 67, of Shenley Road in Borehamwood had put the tins out on Tuesday, October 24 to start the donation drive.

She said: “It makes me feel sick.

“We do not know how much money was in the boxes, but every penny goes towards helping someone in need.

“It’s just lucky that they were taken at the beginning of the collection when they wouldn’t have been as full.”

Last year £37,200 was raised in Borehamwood and Elstree, and this year the team is hoping to raise even more.

Between November 4 and November 11 volunteers will be doing collections from various locations including Tesco and Morissons.

The Poppy Appeal is run by the Royal British Legion every November to honour soldiers who have lost their lives in combat and to raise money to support for veterans or those still serving in the Armed Forces.

This is the 13th year that Mrs Denbigh has organised the collection in the area, but she has been volunteering as part of the Poppy Appeal for 52 years.

She said: “I started doing this with my parents when I was younger.

“Since then my three children have all been involved volunteering and even some of my grandchildren have helped.

“It is so important as we rely on people giving up their time to help out and raise money.

“I’m grateful to all of the shops that take our boxes as well because it all makes a difference.”

The Borehamwood Remembrance Parade will take place this year on Sunday, November 12 and will start outside Number 96 Shenley Road at 10.45am.

For more information on volunteering visit http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/