CLLR Valerie Razzaq, the Mayor of High Wycombe, advised in the Bucks Free Press letters page recently that the Poppy Appeal for 2007 exceeded £4,600 - a record.

How shameful is that to our fallen and those still suffering from injuries in helping to defend our country?

Given that the population of High Wycombe, according to Wycombe District Council, is 162,108, this means that the collection per head was just under 3p!

My wife collected this year and most of those who could be bothered to approach her and donate gave a pound coin.

This means that the paltry figure of 3p is even less.

What a magnificent tribute!

Those that pass by the collectors without donating, trying to avoid eye contact, should be ashamed.

Were it not for our heroes we would be living in a very different country indeed.

Richard JC English, Earl Close, High Wycombe