ON Sunday morning a dozen Gawler RSL volunteers got together for the fourth year in a row to put together 115 Christmas care packages to be sent over to Australian troops in Afghanistan.

Gawler RSL president Paul Little, who fought in Vietnam, said he understands it can be difficult for soldiers overseas for the holidays.

“My eldest daughter asked a few years ago why the RSL in Gawler doesn’t do care packages for the troops around Christmas time,” he said.

“So, we try to put together between 100-120 packages, just to cheer up those men and women over there.

“When I was in Vietnam many years ago we got care packages from home and always appreciated it, so we figured it’d be a good idea to do the same thing.”

The care packages are made up of items such as Australian biscuits and lollies, as well as practical items like cosmetics, books and puzzles.

Mr Little said it is heart-warming to see people get together to do something nice for people they’ve never met.

“We had 12 down there on Sunday helping – including my wife and two of my daughters – with most of the committee and some outside helpers chipping in as well,” he said.

“Everybody jumps in to help where they can, and a couple of the schools donate things as well, so it’s a big combined effort.”

Mr Little said ex-service personnel should try to support those serving currently, and he knows the packages are always well-received.

“I look back at my time when I was over there and I got a couple of these kind of packages, and it was a real morale boost,” he said.

“Last year we got letters and cards sent back from some of the men and women thanking us for what we did, and I think that makes it worth it.”