She presented poppies to Ben Shaw, who was blinded by a roadside bomb while serving in Iraq, and Eric Gurr, a Korean War veteran. Both will appear in the campaign’s new TV advert.

LK Today presenter Lorraine told the Tele she was “really honoured” to be an ambassador for the campaign.

“Meeting Ben and Eric has been truly inspirational and has really brought home to me the fact that veterans come in all ages and from all walks of life,” she said.

“Sadly, there are thousands of others like them in Scotland who depend on all the assistance they receive from organisations like Poppyscotland. I hope everybody in Scotland will show they care by getting behind the appeal.

“People always think about the world wars when they think about the appeal, but people are dying in Iraq and Afghanistan, or come home with injuries.

“It’s more important than ever that we show our support and respect for those men and women in uniform too. We all know Dundonians will be throwing money at them.”

Poppyscotland chief executive Jim Panton said the venue for the launch was in recognition of the “truly fantastic” support the organisation had received from the Dundee public.

“This year, we are more ambitious then ever, because the need to support our veterans is greater than ever,” he said.

“More and more ex-servicemen are returning to civilian life with mental or physical scars, and they simply do not receive the assistance they need and deserve.”

He added that Dundee was a testing ground for a new suggested minimum donation of £1.

Frank Smith, chairman of the Dundee appeal, said he had no doubt Dundonians would give as generously as ever.

“We’re hoping to do as well as, if not better than, the £33,000 we raised last year,” he said.

Stalls will be in place at Dundee’s Garden of Remembrance from November 3, and at the Kingsway and Riverside branches of Tesco in the lead up to Remembrance Sunday, November 9. Collection tins will also be in place in shops around the city.