Old and young stood shoulder to shoulder for the launch of Keighley’s Poppy Appeal.

Second World War veterans and a 23-year-old soldier with the 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment were among those who assembled at the town’s war memorial.

They congregated on Friday afternoon just hours after some had attended the funeral in Skipton of Sgt Gareth Thursby, a former South Craven School student killed in Afghanistan.

Keighley’s Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal organiser, Tommy Thompson, said: “That helps bring home what a huge sacrifice our servicemen and women make.

“Welfare is a huge issue and we need to raise as much as we can to help those injured in conflict and the dependents of those whose lives have been lost.”

Mr Thompson, who served for over two decades in the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, said the hope this year was to beat the 2011 Keighley appeal total of around £32,000.

A poppy shop in the Airedale Shopping Centre will be open daily except Sundays from 10am to 4pm in the run-up to Remembrance Day.

Poppies are also available from supermarkets.

Mr Thompson said more volunteer helpers would be welcome and anyone interested could call at the shop or phone him on 07882 458849.

Those present on Friday included 94-year-old Dennis Bailey, from East Morton, who served during the war with the Duke of Wellington's Regiment and the 1st Royal Dragoons. He was evacuated from Dunkirk, took part in the invasion of Sicily and ended up in Denmark following the conquest of Germany.

“It is important we don’t forget those who have given their lives and support what the British Legion does,” he said.

Also in attendance was Private Luke Davison, 23, from Keighley, who serves with the 3rd Battalion Yorkshire Regiment.

REMEMBRANCE SERVICES AROUND THE DISTRICT

Servicemen and women who have lost their lives in conflict will be remembered in ceremonies across the Keighley district.

The town and local villages will be hosting services on Remembrance Day, Sunday November 11. Lord Mayor of Bradford Coun Dale Smith, who will attend a service at Bradford Cenotaph, said: “It is incredibly important that we reflect and remember the sacrifices that have been made in conflict.”

There will be civic representation at the following services being held locally: Cullingworth - 10am, St John’s Church, Station Road (joint Anglican and Methodist service); 10.50am, procession to the cenotaph, Halifax Road, for a joint Act of Remembrance and wreath laying ceremony.

Denholme - 10am, Denholme Shared Church; 10.45am, parade assembles at Parkinson Road to walk to the cenotaph; 11am, Service of Remembrance and wreath laying at the cenotaph, Foster Park.

Harden - 10.45am, assemble at the war memorial; 11am, wreath laying ceremony; 11.15am, family service for Remembrance Day at St Saviour’s (joint service with Congregational Church) followed by refreshments.

Haworth - 10.45am, St Michael and All Angels’ Church, Main Street, Haworth, after which the congregation will make its way to the cenotaph; noon, Act of Remembrance and wreath laying ceremony at the cenotaph.

Keighley - 9.15am, civic dignitaries meet at the town hall and the parade assembles in Russell Street; 9.40am, parade moves off and civic dignitaries join from the town hall; 10am, Remembrance Service at Keighley Shared Church; 10.40am, parade to Town Hall Square; 11am, wreath laying ceremony at the cenotaph followed by two-minute silence; 11.15am, parade marches off the square via North Street into Bow Street; civic party and parade participants retire to the Drill Hall where refreshments will be available.

Oakworth - 10.45am, Remembrance Service and wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial in Oakworth Park.

Oxenhope - 10.45am, Service of Remembrance and wreath laying at St Mary the Virgin Church.

Silsden -10.30am, parade assembles at Wesley Place; 10.45am, parade departs for cenotaph; 11am, service and wreath laying ceremony at the cenotaph, Memorial Gardens, Kirkgate.

Steeton - 10am, Joint Service of Remembrance at St Stephen's Church; 11am, wreath laying ceremony at Steeton War Memorial.

Wilsden - 10.30am, assemble at the war memorial, Main Street; 10.45am, Act of Remembrance and wreath laying ceremony, with a two-minute silence at 11am. Refreshments afterwards in the village hall.