A caring Hornchurch grandmother has ‘adopted a squaddie’ as she seeks to do her bit for British troops serving in Afghanistan.

Kerry Lambert, of the Dury Falls estate, posts parcels once a month to two soldiers on the front line.

It’s part of a little-known but growing charity called Adopt A British Squaddie (AABS),

Kerry, 48, packs boxes full of food and toiletries, and even buys gifts for the men at Christmas.

While granddaughter Chloe Lambert, nine, puts her artistic talent to good use, drawing pictures for the servicemen.

Housewife Kerry said: “I wanted to let them know that people back home were thinking about them. It’s not a lot, and it doesn’t cost much, but I feel like I’m doing my little bit for them.

“You hear a lot at the moment about the terrible things happening out there and you feel so useless, but I hope this helps in some small way.”

Kerry got involved after stumbling upon the charity on Facebook.

She said: “I’ve been doing it for about a year now and it’s so worthwhile.

“It’s all MoD-approved but we’re not allowed to reveal the names of the soldiers or where they’re serving.

“Sometimes we get letters back from the soldiers telling us how grateful they are, which is really lovely.”

AABS was set up in 2010 by ex-soldier Mark Stephens, from Basildon, who saw the need for care parcels and morale-boosting letters.

The 41-year-old said: “I originally set it up for single servicemen who have no family, but the demand grew and now anyone in the forces can apply.

“There has been nothing like this before which sees direct contact with soldiers and civilians.”

He added: “It’s been a huge success, with some members building up such a good relationships with the soldiers they have gone to their weddings!”

For more info go to: www.adoptabritishsquaddie.org,