BIG-HEARTED BAA staff at Stansted Airport have chosen to help British Soldiers by offering further support the Help for Heroes campaign. In a recent vote they agreed to scrap corporate Christmas cards this year, and instead donate the money to the charity

BIG-HEARTED BAA staff at Stansted Airport have chosen to help British Soldiers by offering further support the Help for Heroes campaign.

In a recent vote they agreed to scrap corporate Christmas cards this year, and instead donate the money to the charity.

This is on top of raising over �2000 with a raffle and donating �500 to a craft group making duvets for wounded soldiers.

The combined total of their efforts so far now stands at more than �4000.

Terminal general manager Neale Jouques said: "Our troops do an amazing job around the world and we must never forget that.

"Staff at Stansted have been raising money for Help for Heroes for a while now because it is very close to their hearts, with many having either served in the Armed Forces or with friends and relatives involved. We are proud to be doing our bit for such a worthy cause."

Stansted security officer, Heather Stevens, who formerly served with the Expeditionary Forces Institute (EFI) providing NAAFI facilities in war zones, first got involved in Help for Heroes by collecting old uniform shirts for needle workers to turn into patchwork quilts.

These quilts have been provided to patients at Hedley Court, the Armed Forces rehabilitation centre in Surrey.

In recent weeks, with the support of colleagues, she organised an airport-wide raffle which raised over �2000 for the centre.

"Companies and staff across the airport have been so generous in donating prizes and buying tickets. There really is overwhelming support at the airport for the Help for Heroes campaign," she said.