KIND-HEARTED crew members from Royal Navy submarine HMS Ambush have recently raised £1,200 for the Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank.

The fund-raising was the brainchild of Chief Petty Officer (CPO) Richie Mackie, Senior Rates’ Mess President on board the Astute-class attack submarine, who wanted to do something to help families struggling during the current Covid-19 crisis.

“I was watching the news and thinking about what we could do to help,” said Chief Mackie.

“There are so many people experiencing hardship at the moment so I thought that HMS Ambush’s ship’s company could do something for those in need.

READ MORE: Behind the scenes at Helensburgh's food bank as volunteers battle through pandemic

“In the end we raised half the money by selling branded cups and the other half through a ‘500 numbers’ game.”

Submariners at sea during Christmas patrol sometimes play a numbers game, with crew members paying £1 and the winning number paying out a cash prize.

HMS Ambush decided to do the same for the food bank with 500 numbers going quickly among the crew, family members and friends raising £600 for the good cause.

The cheque for £1,200 was handed over to the Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank at their Red Cross Hall headquarters in East Princes Street on Monday.

READ MORE: In Pictures: HMS Ambush crew welcomes families on board Royal Navy submarine

Susan Davidson, volunteer at the food bank, said: “Our service has increased in use over the six years since starting, but in the last few months we have seen a much bigger increase in the bags we have given out.

“In the last quarter – March to May – we have issued 653 bags.

"Last year at the same time it was 495 from both our sites.

“Huge thanks to Ambush for the cheque and for the way so much money was collected by the submariners, family and friends.”

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