MUCH-needed help for Suffolk's troops is already starting to roll in – crucial parcels, and cash to send them off to the front line.In Felixstowe, inspired by the Evening Star's Gifts For The Gulf, campaign, people have already started filling shoeboxes with essentials to help boost the morale of the serving men and women.

MUCH-needed help for Suffolk's troops is already starting to roll in – crucial parcels, and cash to send them off to the front line.

In Felixstowe, inspired by the Evening Star's Gifts For The Gulf, campaign, people have already started filling shoeboxes with essentials to help boost the morale of the serving men and women.

Organiser Ian Heeley said 16 boxes packed with goods had been collected so far and these would go off to the Gulf today via army contacts.

Most of the boxes had been filled by members of Felixstowe Conservative Club in High Road West and some of the goods had been bought with donations from individuals, including a Felixstowe taxi driver.

"People have been wonderful and made a tremendous response," said Mr Heeley, a veteran campaigner and charity fundraiser.

"I have had people stopping me and giving me cheques and we have put around £150-worth of goods into the boxes we have filled.

"We must do everything we can to support our service personnel out there in the Gulf – we want them to know we are thinking about them.

"We have filled four shoeboxes for women and the rest for men, with a mixture of items such as razor blades, soap, deodorant, sun cream, sweets, biscuits, cup-a-soups – all basic things but I am sure they will be appreciated."

n The Evening Star has kicked off its Gifts For The Gulf campaign with £500 to cover the cost of sending our first batch of lifeline welfare packages.