FORMER Gala Rugby star Gregor Townsend visited Edinburgh today to show his support for Poppy Scotland.

The Scotland national team head coach took a tour of Lady Haig's Poppy Factory where veterans were preparing for the 'national uplift' – the day where 4.5 million poppies are distributed across the country.

And the 44-year-old from St Boswells is no stranger to helping out the charity having previously taken part in the Hearts and Heroes Challenge – a 12-hour walking challenge along a 29-mile course in the Borders.

 After the visit he said: “It is humbling to know that each and every poppy has been hand-produced by a disabled veteran. 

"I am staggered at the size and scale of the operation to get these shipped in time for the Appeal starting next month. 

"The veterans who work in the factory have gone the extra mile for us and I would encourage everyone to challenge themselves go the extra mile in support of this year’s Scottish Poppy Appeal."

The Poppy Factory in Edinburgh, which employs a team of 40-plus Armed Forces veterans with a range of disabilities, was set up by Lady Haig – wife of Field Marshall Earl Haig – in 1926.

Gordon Michie, Head of Fundraising at Poppyscotland, added: “The national uplift is a major milestone for us. It marks the culmination of a year of hard work by our veterans and means our biggest fundraiser is just around the corner.

“We’re sure the public will once again show their support in buying and wearing their poppy. While this provides a vital source of income to fund our life-changing work, we are encouraging supporters to consider going the extra mile, just as Gregor did previously.

"It could be a bake sale or a zip slide, but every extra penny generated for the Scottish Poppy Appeal will make a massive difference to someone in the Armed Forces community who is in need of our help.”