The Young At Heart group, which has almost 300 pensioners among its membership, decided to buy the phone cards through the Help the Heroes organisation instead of sending out parcels of goodies this Christmas.
Last year members collected luxury items for troops in Afghanistan and Iraq but because of restrictions on sending out parcels to unnamed soldiers this year, are turning their attentions instead to collecting cash for the phone cards which will be put in gift packs and given to troops in hospitals in the war torn region.
"The greatest gift we can give them is contact with home," said Young At Heart's secretary Maura Calder-Smith.
"For those lying in bed in a field hospital with all the time in the world a phone card would make an ideal gift."
Young At Heart raised cash at its recent annual general meeting and also have a collection tin for donations at the Sovereign Centre where members meet regularly. Further information on the appeal is available from chair Chris Gillings on 766493.