A war veteran who has raised more than £30,000 for the Poppy Appeal has been honoured for his fundraising.

Charlie Carter, who served in the Second World War, was invited to Colchester police station where Chief Supt Dave Murthwaite presented him with a framed photograph.

War veteran Charlie Carter is presented with his picture

Taken by Evening Gazette photographer Steve Argent, it shows the former tank driver looking at a fallen comrade's grave in Normany in France.

The 79-year-old, who has had both knee joints replaced, has raised £31,462.44 since 1992 by collecting in Colchester for up to 12 hours at a time.

His wife, Dorothy, always joins him for the fundraising stints in High Street and at Tesco in High Woods.

Yesterday's presentation was set up by PC Nikki Gander, of Colchester police, after she met Mr Carter in the run up to an event in the town centre.

Impressed by his efforts for the Poppy Appeal, she asked the Evening Gazette to have the photo printed and arranged the event at the police station.

Mr Murthwaite, Colchester police's divisional commander, told Mr Carter at the presentation: "I'm really proud to give you this."

Mr Carter, who lives in Jubilee Close in Stanway, said he would treasure the photograph and said the presentation had been a "marvellous" occasion.

Published Thursday, April 24, 2003

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