STAFF from HM Naval Base Clyde gave a helping hand to people struggling to feed their families over the festive season.

Leading Physical Trainer (LPT) Will Callen of HMS Neptune, the shore establishment at HM Naval Base Clyde, delivered a truck load of food to Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank.

When LPT Callen heard that so many people were struggling locally, with around 40 families in the area using the services of the foodbank, he decided he wanted to do something to help.

“I felt it was important that all of us at the Naval Base, who have so much, should do something to help those with so little,” said LPT Callen.

“As well as asking people to contribute tins and packets of food, I wanted to raise awareness of the Foodbank and emphasize that this is not just a problem at Christmas, that there is an ongoing need for help and support.”

LPT Callen contacted the food bank organisers, who were delighted to accept his offer to help by organising a food drive within HM Naval Base Clyde. He then set to work enlisting the help of staff throughout the base.

He spread the word about the initiative, putting posters up throughout the base and placing adverts in base publications, asking people to put a few extra items in their trollies and bring them along to a collection point at the Sportsdrome.

The response from personnel at the base was good, and many of them organised their own collections which they then took along to the Sportsdrome.

Once the Sportsdrome was full, LPT Callen arranged to deliver the donations to the food bank.

Mary McGinley, vice-chair of the Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank, and her sister Kathleen were on hand at the food store and were delighted to receive the substantial contribution from staff at the base.

Anyone who would like to donate directly can take contributions to the British Red Cross Hall at 116 East Princes Street, Helensburgh.

There are also donation bins in the Co-Operative supermarket and local churches.

The foodbank is open on Mondays and Fridays, 10am until 12 noon at the Red Cross Hall. It has a welcoming atmosphere and people can head along for a cup of tea and a chat before collecting their parcel.

Anyone interested in helping or who wants more information is asked to email helensburghfoodbank@gmail.com