Stop sending our soldiers presents (From Gazette)

Stop sending our soldiers presents

9:00pm Thursday 26th November 2009

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SENIOR military officials are urging people to stop sending parcels to Afghanistan for service personnel they don’t know – because the sheer volume of mail is causing problems.

The public’s generosity means there are fears letters from family and loved ones are getting delayed or lost among the deluge of well-intentioned post.

This is expected to be a particular problem during the Christmas period, when the troops are eagerly awaiting personal letters from home.

There are also concerns extra flights and convoys are having to be organised to deliver mail to dangerous areas – putting soldiers at unnecessary risk.

The Ministry of Defence has revealed about three million parcels, containing treats such as toiletries, sweets, books and CDs, were sent to 9,000 troops between October 2008 and October 2009. Lt Colonel George Waters, MoD staff officer, said: “Everybody in the Armed Forces is enormously grateful for the generosity of people who want to support us.

“But the timely delivery of letters and parcels from loved ones must always take precedence.

“My message is unequivocal. If you wish to show your support for the troops, far and away the most effective way of doing so, is to support an official, registered service charity.”

The ministry is advising anyone wishing to support the troops only to send parcels through three registered charities – SSAFA Forces, uk4u and SOS Support Our Soldiers.

When Colchester-based troops were in Afghanistan last year, about 1,000 parcels filled with donations from staff and customers at the Asda store, in Turner Rise, were sent by Colchester Trinity Rotary Club and the Colchester Town and Army Group.

Rotarian Nick Clarke said: “The last thing we would want to do is cause problems for troops.

“We are in regular contact with the garrison.

“While it does not want individuals to send parcels through the postal system, it is happy to receive consignments from organised groups, which the Army can send out itself, as part of the regular supply chain.”

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