Pass on the parcels this year   [10/11/08]

The boost to morale that receiving a parcel, especially at Christmas, can give to a soldier fighting far from home is well known: it means that someone back home cares about them, is thinking of them and values what they are doing.
But not only is it good to receive a parcel, its also good to send one. Sending a parcel is a way in which civilians can make direct contact with those risking their lives for them, a way in which they can express their support and appreciation in a tangible way.

It is also a long established custom originating during WW1, a custom which helps bind the nation in times of war. It is exactly the kind of practice which should have been encouraged under the National Recognition Study.

It is surprising and disappointing then to read that not only is the MoD restricting the number of parcels that organisations like Save Our Soldiers are being allowed to send out to Iraq and Afghanistan this Christmas but has also put a stop to individual citizens posting a parcel to "a soldier in need".

And the reason? Because so many parcels were sent last year that the postal service couldn't cope with the load. “Last Christmas the mail created a significant challenge to our logistics chain in theatre, which must also focus on the supply of operational essentials such as ammunition, food and medical supplies." But the Christmas "surge" can surely be anticipated and additional delivery mechanisms be put in place to handle it.

Kent News: MoD bans Christmas donations for troops in combat

Soldiers of 821 Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Squadron, Royal Logistic Corps, have been walking through Basra to raise money to help the family of one of their fallen comrades. But to make it a bit more of a challenge and to encourage more donations, the hikers are wearing their specalist bomb disposal suits - weighing in at 40+ kilos (that's 90+ lbs), that must be really comfy, especially when the temperature is in the 70s.

Relay teams of walkers will cover 100 miles in total and hope to raise lots of money to support the family of Warrant Officer 2 Gary O'Donnell GM RLC, killed in Afghanistan while carrying out Improvised Explosive Device Disposal on 10th September 2008.

These suits aren't made for walking but that's just what they'll do ........ and hopefully they'll raise plenty of cash too. Well done, lads!

MoD: Charity walk in Basra pays tribute to lost soldier

The Sun: Di: I'll top chart for my cousin
Help for Heroes: X Factor
Support Our Soldiers: X Factor

Before he died Robert organised the first charity football match to raise funds for Combat Stress and his father has continued the event each year since then raising over £2,000 for the charity. "Army life was good for Rob when he first enlisted. He enjoyed the time he spent in Germany and Canada, but he experienced things in Bosnia that left him tormented, things he couldn't talk to us about. That's where a charity like Combat Stress is invaluable. Rob said he could actually speak to someone there who really understood what he was going through - and he very much appreciated the work they were doing."
Combat Stress has supported almost 100,000 veterans from every campaign the British Armed Forces have been in since the first world war. It currently has over 3,500 ex-servicemen in its care, including over 200 from the conflict in Iraq.

As Mr Baldwin said: "The work of this charity is essential, it is worth every penny."

Norwich Evening News: Dad of tragic soldier plans fundraiser for Combat Stress
Combat Stress

Captain Alan Tindale said: “It’s payback from us. The care and after-care of soldiers is paramount.”

Good luck, lads!

The Sun: Troops’ trek
BBC: Soldiers' charity march under way
Birmingham Post: Soldiers march seven marathons in a week for charity