Brian Mossom, 77, of Beechwood Close, has raised about £70,000 for the Royal British Legion in that time.
He offered to organise the appeal after attending a meeting of the Maryport branch of the Royal British Legion where he learned that someone was needed.
Brian, who is also a long-serving member of the Royal Naval Association, was responsible for putting trays of poppies and collection boxes in and around Maryport.
With help from villagers in Allonby, Crosby, Dearham and Flimby, he ran the appeals every year between 2001 and 2015.
Brian said: “At the meeting I said the RNA is the only other organisation for ex-servicemen in Maryport and we would do it.
“When I started I wasn’t looking too far into the future and I was working full-time before I retired in 2004 aged 65.
“I’m grateful to all the people who have taken a tray of poppies and a collection box.”
Brian was presented with an award featuring three poppies at a recent town council meeting.
Maryport Town Council has taken over from Brian and ran this year’s Poppy Appeal.
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