I was interested to read the letters concerning attitudes towards Remembrance this year, in particular that from D A Coles.

I had the privilege of standing at the war memorial in Brighton on the Saturday morning before Remembrance Sunday and, though I was only able to spare a couple of hours, I found it a very rewarding experience.

However, the most often repeated comment was, "You people are like gold dust". Many people said they had been unable to find anyone selling poppies and had been told shopkeepers were nervous of having them on sale in their shops because of the security threat.

On several occasions, there were young kids offering small change for the opportunity to wear their poppies and one young mother made a special point of helping her child buy one while explaining what it was all about.

Many who bought poppies were young and contributors were of all cultural and racial backgrounds. There was even a tourist from Finland.

The point is it's not enough to just have a go about a decline in standards of behaviour and respect. Something has to be done.

The Royal British Legion could do with more help in taking poppies on to the streets, raising much-needed funds and raising awareness of the need to remember the massive sacrifice made on our behalf.

I wish I had offered to go collecting a long time ago. Who will join me next year in offering a few hours?

-David Gold, Sudeley Terrace, Kemp Town