London Poppy Day's £1m goal underway 01.11.12
5The Prince of Wales was asked if he could be kidnapped and held for ransom today, as he met Poppy Appeal volunteers and celebrity supporters.
Charles greeted those working to raise money on board the London Poppy Day red bus at Clarence House as part of the campaign to raise £1 million in a single day from donations across the capital.
TV presenter and Poppy Day ambassador Ben Shephard said Charles spent some time joking and laughing when he boarded the Routemaster.
"We thought we could try and drive off with him on the bus and launch a ransom to raise more money," Mr Shephard said.
"But he thought we wouldn't get very far."
Charles also joked about having a sing-along on the bus and riding a Harley Davidson before meeting bikers from the Royal British Legion Riders Branch.
The Prince then met volunteers inside Clarence House's Poppy Day counting room, where the money raised is rapidly counted in machines.
Hundreds of volunteers have the important job of tallying the funds at five counting stations across London including, for the first time, the one at Clarence House.
Richard Atkinson, a banker and volunteer counter at Clarence House, said Charles wanted to know how the money counting machines worked.
"He was very intrigued and tried to understand the logistics of how this final part of the process works," Mr Atkinson said.
"He was also very interested to know what we all did as day jobs as well."
This year the volunteers, representing the Army, Navy, RAF and a host of companies, aim to raise £1 million in a single day across the capital, more than twice what was raised on London Poppy Day 2011.
The countdown to £1 million is taking place in Covent Garden where an electronic totaliser is updating the amount raised.
During the Poppy Appeal, the Royal British Legion is aiming to raise £42 million - £2 million more than last year's record £40 million - to carry out vital work, including providing immediate support and life-long care to armed forces families in need.
Other Poppy Day events took place today at Covent Garden piazza with the arrival of the London Poppy Day Routemaster, which has been touring the capital throughout the day.
Fundraising efforts of 2,000 volunteers, who are collecting money at Tube and railway stations, are benig spurred on by numerous military bands playing at locations across the capital.
The Military Wives Choir have also given their support, performing on the steps of St Paul's and in Covent Garden, while a team of Royal Marines abseiled down Broadgate Tower.