Generous shoppers helped to raise more than �25,000 worth of stock and �900 cash for troops serving in Afghanistan in the launch of this year’s parcels for the troops.

The event, organised by former Sergeant Major John Marcelle from Great Cullings, Rush Green, was at the Tesco Supermarket in Gallows Corner, Romford, on Saturday March 19.

Mr Marcelle said: “It was fantastic and it just showed the good old East End generosity.

“It brought tears to my eyes because you just saw people queuing up to put things in our trolleys and we had people who we knew could not afford it but came in with two heavy bags full of goods for the troops.”

The event was also attended by Havering Mayor Cllr Pam Light and they were also joined by 25 troops from different regiments and representatives from The Royal Hospital Chelsea.

The annual event, which has been going for five years saw shoppers donating things from their shopping baskets to send to the troops serving in Afghanistan.

Mr Marcelle said: “It will make a tremendous difference to the troops serving in Afghanistan.

“It really helps to raise their morale because then they know that the British public are supporting them and still remembering them.”

All of the items raised from Saturday’s event are set to be sorted out into shoe boxes in the next week, before being sent to Camp Bastion in Afghanistan where they will be distributed to the troops