Burgh shows support for forces' charity

Steve McElroy 1565 - 1565 • Published 21 Dec 2008 09:30

A SUPPORT Our Soldiers Appeal exceeded expectations after goods and cash flooded in to bring Christmas cheer to those serving on the frontline.

Support from Helensburgh and Lomond and further afield was described this week as "wonderful" following the launch of the Christmas Parcel Appeal to bring festive gifts to members of the British armed forces serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In total 96 filled boxes were donated, some from individuals, and others from groups such as the Cadets and Brownies. Of those, 15 were from Helensburgh Baptist Church.

SOS organiser Louise Cairns said: 'We have had lots of parcel fillers donated in three pubs, The Ashton Bar, Coopers Bar and The Teak, which supported our appeal. Donations were also made at the Helensburgh Advertiser offices and on the Clyde Naval Base.

'We also had monetary donations totalling £655.24 from individuals as well as a donations of over £200 from the congregation of Craigrownie Parish Church, Cove, and £114 from staff at Tesco, Port Glasgow. The customers of the Ashton Bar also raised £138.09 in three weeks from a collecting tin on the bar.'

Louise said RSR Braeholm were particularly instrumental in helping to make the appeal in Helensburgh a success.

She added: 'They very generously allowed us the use of a room to store parcel fillers and pack the boxes. They also donated items for the boxes, contacted their suppliers for donations of parcel fillers, and the staff helped with the packing of the boxes.

'HMNB Clyde provided a van and three willing helpers to transport the 223 packed boxes destined for Royal Marines on the front line in Afghanistan, to Helensburgh Post Office where the staff were most helpful, their smile only dropped slightly at the mention of 300 parcels. Our remaining 77 boxes for Iraq were lifted and shifted with help from Ewen from the Ashton Pub.

'As a whole, Support our Soldiers have sent 11,956 boxes to troops serving overseas. Just within our limit of 12,000 imposed by the MoD.

'I would like to thank everyone who donated to or helped with the appeal. There will be lots of smiling servicemen and women on Christmas Day - thanks to the generosity of the people of Helensburgh.'

Contributions were also made by an eight-strong team from Clyde"s Fleet Photographic Unit at HM Naval Base Clyde who generated a little festive cheer by buying a selection of fun gifts to send out to colleagues serving in Afghanistan"s Helmand Provence over Christmas.

Leading Photographers Nick Tyron and Gaz Falconer are sure to appreciate their mates" thoughtfulness as they serve with 45 and 42 Commando, respectively, in the towering mountains of Afghanistan - with a pair of comedy foam bosoms, a Spider-man toothbrush and Popeye socks!

Warrant Officer Ian Arthur, Photographic Unit head, explained: 'We know Gaz and Nick have a great sense of humour. We"ve thrown in a few old favourites like teabags and sweets. Hopefully, the gifts will keep up their morale and let them know that we"re thinking about them.'

Dozens of people attended the Naval Families Centre in Helensburgh"s Churchill Square to help pack SOS boxes and combined it with raising money for the Children 1st charity.

They were enticed by the promise of hot-filled rolls, cakes and plenty of tea and coffee and during the event the organisers also held a raffle and managed to pack and wrap two trolley loads of SOS boxes raising £75.15 for the charity.

Sales of "Songs for Heroes," a CD produced by the Kidderminster Male Choir for the soldiers" appeal, went through the roof on the day, with a further £140 raised.

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This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 18 Dec 08

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