BANK staff across the Fens have rallied round in support of a Chatteris colleague’s appeal to collect items for troops in Afghanistan this Christmas.

Mary Humphreys’ collection started when she asked customers and staff at Barclay’s Bank in Chatteris to donate one item each - but when directors at the company’s North West Anglia region heard about the appeal it was rolled out to 17 other branches.

Colleagues at branches in Wisbech, March, Whittlesey, Peterborough, King’s Lynn, Spalding, Downham Market, Huntingdon, Ramsey, St Ives and St Neots have all supported the appeal since.

Mrs Humphrey’s mum Brenda Noble, who lives in Shaftesbury Court in March, has also collected items from fellow residents.

Mrs Humphreys, operational specialist at Barclay’s in Chatteris, who lives in March, said: “Every branch has taken the appeal on board and supported me really well. I couldn’t ask for anything more.

“I went to a meeting last week and mentioned what I was doing and the bosses said they’d love to do something to help - so the idea was spread across the group.”

Mrs Humphrey’s husband Mark, who serves with the Royal Engineers, completed tours during the Gulf War. They have friends who are currently serving in Afghanistan.

This Friday (December 2) is the last day items to be collected. Alcohol and sprays are not accepted. Items will then be boxed in the hope of arriving by Christmas Day.

Mrs Humphreys said: “Troops’ morale is a bit low at this time of year so it means so much to them when they receive boxes of gifts.”

• To donate, take items to a Barclay’s branch participating in the scheme during opening hours.