VOLUNTEERS of the Worcestershire Help for Heroes charity, along with mascot Hero the Bear, are hoping for support from the public as they look to gathering gifts for 600 Christmas stockings.

The gifts are destined for injured members of the armed forces in hospitals, at Headley Court Rehabilitation Centre, in Surrey, and at four recovery centres as well as the Mark Wright GC Recovery Centre, a corporal in the parachute regiment and a recipient of the George Cross.

Cpl Wright died in Helmand Province in September 2006 after entering a minefield in an attempt to save the lives of injured fellow soldiers.

His actions were posthumously recognised with the award for his outstanding gallantry in December that year.

Ian Baldry Worcestershire Help for Heroes county coordinator said: “The Christmas stockings bring much needed joy to our injured heroes. It means so much to them to know that the gifts have been donated by the public. The stockings are a great way of showing those that need a boost at this emotive time of year and that the nation supports them and their recovery.

"As always we are most grateful to the ongoing support provided by Worcester News, and I have every confidence that this appeal will be widely supported within Worcester and the county as a whole.”

People are asked to gather the gifts needed for each stocking - unwrapped - and send them to Help for Heroes Christmas Stocking Appeal, 14 Parker's Close, Downton Business Centre, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP5 3RB between October 19 and November 13 where they will be sorted into individual stockings for the wounded men and women.

Donations of money will also be gratefully received through the donation page at: at www.justgiving.com/christmasstockingappeal

"People have been very generous in the past and we hope they will be so again," Mr Baldry added.