War heroes received a perfect Christmas present from a generous Bermuda company.

RenaissanceRe showed it had plenty of festive cheer after donating five large boxes overflowing with food and toiletries.

War widow Lillian Levon, from Smith?s Parish, said the surprise gift came completely out of the blue. ?This is a really nice Christmas present,? she added.

The 88-year-old attended the hamper handover at Bermuda Regiment Headquarters yesterday, alongside Second World War veterans Philip Lamb and Roland Belboda.

A total of six veterans and widows will benefit from the tasty Christmas donation, which is part of the Regiment?s war veterans initiative ? aimed at helping those who fought bravely in less peaceful times as they now battle rising living costs.

Regiment Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Edward Lamb thanked the reinsurance company for their generosity. He said he was ?delighted? with the donation.

Philip Lamb, who served in the Bermuda Militia Artillery and the RAF overseas, described the gift as ?awesome? and ?completely unexpected?.

And an equally surprised Mr. Belboda, 81, who also served in the artillery, said: ?I?m going to wait until I get home before I look at what I?ve got.?