ELDERLY residents from flats in Woodchurch have managed to fill 65 boxes with goodies for British soldiers serving in Afghanistan.

The boxes - which contain essential items including toileteries and non-essentials such as sweets - have been collected and put together by residents from Brackendale flats since Christmas and will be on their way to the war-torn country’s Helmand province within the next few days.

Over the last year, the group has managed to fill more than 100 boxes, with many of the items coming from outside Asda’s store in Woodchurch. Dot Smith was among the small army of big-hearted neighbours that have put them together.

She told the Globe: “We were absolutely taken aback by the public’s generosity and never expected to fill more than 60 boxes, so we’d like to say thanks very much to all of those who helped us this time.

“The problem we had was getting hold of shoeboxes, because there appear to be a lot more shoes being sold in bags these days.”

Dot says this collection could be their group’s last but the collections do not have to end.

“It’s a lot of hard work and we would love it if it continued. If there are any younger people out there who can help us that would be great.”

If you can help, call Dot on 0151 641 0911.