A FAMOUS Bankie has helped launch this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal.

The appeal is Scotland’s largest annual street collection and helps to raise millions of pounds each year which Poppyscotland uses to support the country’s armed forces community.

This year, Game of Thrones and Braveheart actor James Cosmo has shown his support for the armed forces.

He said: “I am proud to lend my support to this year’s appeal and to do my little bit to encourage us all to contribute to Poppyscotland as they continue their ongoing work to support the armed forces community throughout Scotland.

“I would like to ask you to support the appeal which does so much to support our servicemen and ex-servicemen who have done so much for us. Remember, wear your poppy, give generously and look after those who looked after us.”

Last week, more than five million poppies and 60,000 collecting tins were distributed around Scotland as the public is encouraged to wear a poppy with pride.

Read more: Game of Thrones actor James Cosmo reads special poem by Stewart Conn at Blitz service

Gordon Michie, Poppyscotland’s head of fundraising, said: “The launch of the annual appeal is always a special day for Poppyscotland and its loyal army of 10,000 volunteers.

“Every year, we strive to make the appeal bigger and better than before, and so it is wonderful to have the likes of James on board to offer messages of support to our armed forces community to show in a unified voice that we are behind them, always.

“Thanks to the generosity of the Scottish public, we are able to help and support hundreds of members of the armed forces each year and their families.

“We provide specialist advice and employment support, home adaptations, mobility aids and tailored funding packages and so much more. We can only continue to do this thanks to your support.”

To donate online to Poppyscotland, please visit poppyscotland.org.uk/.