MEMBERS of the armed forces community in Helensburgh recently came together to support the Big Brew Up event at the Families Centre.

The Big Brews Little Brew was held to support the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmans Families Association (SSAFA) and organisers took advantage of the school Easter holiday to attract as many people as possible.

Around 50 people, including schoolchildren, attended the event which saw the kettle filled regularly and people enjoying biscuits and cakes while supporting the charity.

The event also featured an Easter egg hunt, organised and set up by LPT Mickey Preston of HMNB Clyde with Easter eggs donated by the Junior Rates Committee which proved popular with many of the children participating using the word “exciting”.

Tracey Megson, the committee’s fundraising and publicity officer, who is herself a wife of a serving submariner, expressed her thanks for all the support shown at the event.

She said: “I love to see the community coming together to support such a worthwhile charity. Myself and LPT Preston are working hard to build relationships between the armed forces community, the wider Helensburgh community and the Naval base.

“It was great to see the base warrant officer, Wayne Burbury, at the event too, as well as civilians, military and their families. A big thank you to LPT Preston and the Junior Rates Committee for donating the Easter eggs.”

The SSAFA In Service Faslane Committee chairman, Mr Iain Mackenzie, said: “As chairman I feel very privileged.

“I have a wonderful team of volunteers who are ready to help serving members of the armed forces and their families.

“Our remit is to offer help to service families who may have a problem with shopping, looking after children or general about-the-house tasks due to personal problems or illness.

“Today’s event ‘Big Brews Little Brew’ is aimed at raising money for SSAFA through the local community baking cakes and biscuits, all this raises SSAFA’s profile and boosts our finances to fund other projects.”

The event raised more than £200 which will be used to help SSAFA provide lifelong support to anyone who is currently serving or has ever served in the Royal Navy, British Army or Royal Air Force.

The charity is encouraging even more people to get involved and fundraise by holding their own Big Brew Up with Armed Forces Week starting on June 19.

To find out more about SSAFA and the work they do visit ssafa.org.uk.

To sign up to host a Big Brew Up visit ssafa.org.uk/fundraise/big-brew/sign.