Store bans war hero collector

Caring Denis Hosgood, 85, of Winter Knoll, Littlehampton, had been collecting for the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal outside the store in Finisterre Way for more than three years and had never had a problem.

However, when he went back to his usual spot this time, managers there told him to move his collection tins elsewhere, claiming it was a decision made at Tesco’s head office.

Denis, who fought on the front lines during the Second World War in Normandy and Germany, said: “I was rather shocked, to be honest. I just couldn’t understand why they wouldn’t let me collect outside.

“This would have been my fourth year collecting at Tesco. I have received nothing but kindness and support from the store.

“They were very good to me. That’s why this is so baffling.”

Ironically, it was the German-based company Lidl, in New Road, Littlehampton, which allowed Denis to continue collecting. And even a former soldier from Germany dug deep to buy a poppy.

“I went to their manager and asked if I could collect outside the shop. They welcomed me with open arms and were very accommodating.

“The boss came out and put £20 in the tin on the first day, which was very kind.

“One young chap came by in his late 30s who was an ex-soldier in the German army. He donated a couple of pounds, too.

“The generosity of everybody was wonderful.”

Denis stayed outside Lidl for a total of four days, managing to fill up six collection tins, which will go to the Littlehampton branch of the Royal British Legion’s poppy appeal total.

He added: “Collecting for the legion means a lot to me. They do so much for ex-servicemen. It’s the least I could do.”

Tesco said it had notified all legitimate collectors for the Royal British Legion about its change in policy.

The company confirmed that Poppy Appeal collectors were not allowed in its smaller Express stores, like the one in Finisterre Way.

However, a spokeswoman from the retail giant added that: “For two weeks every year, we hold a national collection, inviting Royal British Legion volunteers to sell poppies in our Metro, superstores and Extra stores across the UK. This year, the legion has also been invited to put static collection boxes in our Express stores.

“We are very proud to have supported the Royal British Legion for so many years and work incredibly hard to ensure its annual Poppy Appeal is a great success.”

Since 2005, Tesco has helped raise almost £16m for the Poppy Appeal.