CLACKS swimming hero Duncan Scott got behind this year's Scottish Poppy Appeal when he visited Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory last week.

Scotland's most decorated swimmer with multiple Olympic and Commonwealth gold medals, Duncan took time out from his training regime on Thursday, September 22, to lend a hand loading poppies onto lorries ahead of this year's appeal.

A team of 34 disabled veterans have spent the last 11 months making each poppy by hand ahead of Scotland’s largest fundraising campaign.

An army of volunteers is set to distribute them across the country, with all donations going to support Poppyscotland’s work with the armed forces community.

Duncan, whose father and uncle both served in the British Army, said: “‘I’m honoured to be visiting Lady Haig’s Poppy Factory today and see first hand the fantastic work they do.

“With both my father and uncle having served in the armed forces, I’m incredibly grateful to the veterans and volunteers who work tirelessly to provide poppies to the whole of Scotland.”

The Scottish Poppy Appeal raises around £2million each year in the run up to Remembrance Sunday.

The money enables a wide range of support services in advice, employment, housing, mental health and mobility.

Austin Hardie, Poppyscotland’s director, said: “After two difficult years due to Covid-19 restrictions, we’re hoping for a return to normal this year.

“Our tens of thousands of volunteers are looking forward to getting back out on streets, shopping centres and supermarkets around the country, meeting the public and offering poppies to everyone who chooses to wear one.”