FIVE car loads of festive food, donated by personnel at RNAS Culdrose, were handed over following an appeal by a Helston schoolgirl.

Each year Elsie Etherington, a year 9 pupil at Helston Community College, packs and wraps boxes of food for local families for the charity Cornwall Christmas Box.

She asked RNAS Culdrose for help this year, and piles of donations came flooding in from squadrons and departments. Donations included tinned food, gravy, stuffing, Christmas cake, mince pies, biscuits, chocolates, snacks and soft drinks.

Elsie thanked everyone who gave a donation. She began helping Cornwall Christmas Box five years ago, saving up her pocket money to buy items for boxes and later helped by Helston Brownies. Elsie added: “It’s nice to be kind.”

Mrs Etherington praised her daughter’s efforts and said: “I think she’s absolutely fantastic. She’s got a heart of gold.”

RNAS Culdrose Chaplain Raphael Duckett added: “There’s been a huge contribution from across the whole base to help local families this Christmas. I’d like to say that what Elsie is doing is fantastic. She is a credit to the young people of today in our community who care about others and are prepared to stand up and make a difference.”

Elsie is now faced with the busy task of packing and wrapping the many boxes of food, ready to be handed out in time for Christmas.