KENT'S double Olympic gold medalist Kelly Holmes has joined forces with the Royal British Legion to officially launch the 2004 Poppy Appeal.

The launch ceremony highlighted the importance of the Legion's work supporting, caring and campaigning for ex-Servicemen and their families - and the 2004 Poppy Appeal's theme, Your Best Way to Say Thank You.

Kelly is the first sports personality to launch the appeal. She is hoping to impart her Midas touch to help boost awareness and support for the Poppy Appeal, which this year aims to raise more than £22 million. Last year £21.7 million was raised.

Kelly, herself an ex-Army Sergeant, was joined by 12-year-old Colin Antink, one of the young people who the Legion has recently helped.

Colin, whose father is an ex-paratrooper, suffers from a degenerative disease called Stickler1s Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder which is slowly robbing Colin of both his sight and hearing as well as the use of his joints.

Though there is no known cure, the Legion is helping support Colin's education by funding a specially built computer and his ongoing tuition.