christmas boxes for the forces

likklegibbon

Hi all

At work we're going to be putting together shoeboxes of stuff to send away to serving servicemen for Christmas - any ideas what would be good to put into them? I would hate to !!!! things up with things that were unsuitable/unusable.

Thanks for any suggestions

likklegibbon

soph2566

You may want to bear this in mind before collecting for the troops -

British public urged to rethink Christmas presents for troops (Credits Mod Website)

Members of the public who generously send christmas gifts to unnamed British Service personnel serving on overseas operations are being urged this year instead to donate money to military charities in order to ease the strain on the supply chain.


Christmas 2007: over 21,000 sacks of mail, weighing over 170 tonnes, were sent to Afghanistan for Service personnel
[Picture: via MOD]
Every Christmas the public donate gifts for those serving overseas, however the large number of packages can cause problems for those sending cards and gifts to their loved ones and challenge operational effectiveness and safety.

The Ministry of Defence has introduced new controls on post after last year's festive period when, in the two months before Christmas, over 21,000 sacks of mail, weighing over 170 tonnes, were sent to Afghanistan alone. The majority of the mail was parcels and shoeboxes generously donated to unnamed British Service personnel.

A post surge of last year's magnitude unintentionally places considerable strain on the supply chain, the main focus of which must be ensuring that essential combat supplies such as ammunition, medical supplies, food and equipment reach those at the front line. As much of this post must reach its final destination by helicopter, particularly in Afghanistan, extra flights mean extra danger for pilots and crews.

For these reasons, the Ministry of Defence, in partnership with British Forces Post Office, is limiting the free postal system only to friends and families, with mail only being accepted if to a named person.

Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Personnel), said:

"The generosity and support of the British public has been outstanding and it means a huge amount to all those serving in our Armed Forces.


"We are hugely grateful for all the public support for our servicemen and women, but because of the great response, we urge people to donate to alternative organisations to minimise the impact of Christmas mail surges."
Vice Admiral Peter Wilkinson, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Personnel)
"When on operations, the receipt of news from home, a letter from your wife or children, is a huge boost to morale, but unfortunately, this can be delayed by the large volume of mail generously donated.

"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.

"These controls mean we will continue to supply free post to the friends, family and loved ones of those serving on operations overseas, whilst ensuring our operational effectiveness is maintained.

"We are hugely grateful for all the public support for our servicemen and women, but because of the great response, we urge people to donate to alternative organisations to minimise the impact of Christmas mail surges."

For those who still wish to show their support, but who do not have someone specific to give to there are a range of other charities they are encouraged to donate to, including UK4U Thanks!, which provides a Christmas parcel for every serviceman and woman serving overseas on Christmas Day.

The Royal British Legion, Poppyscotland, SSAFA, Army Benevolent Fund, Help for Heroes and other military charities are all alternative organisations working to support our Service personnel.

maggymoo

Army bosses yesterday banned the public from sending Christmas parcels to war zones – unless they are addressed to a named soldier.

They say parcels to “a British soldier” clog up the mail system and delay prezzies from family.
Last year in the two months to Christmas 21,000 sacks of mail were sent to Afghanistan alone.

The MoD also claims the extra load puts lives at risk as special trips must be made to deliver them to the front line.
It urges people to make donations to charities like the Royal British Legion that support servicemen and women instead.

sciencegeek

this is a real shame,

I have a friend who commands a small platoon of troops and he said that his guys really like getting the present boxes. As the person in charge he receives a number of gift boxes which he then divides up among his men. He especially tries to give ones to soldiers who are not receiving gifts from family etc.

Apparently food such as chocolate always goes down well (pun intended!) as do copies of lads mags such as zoo/FHM :rolleyes: .

Dont know how it works in other units but its nice to know some people were getting presents at christmas when they otherwise might receive nothing.

downs523

you could send some to my brother, hes 20 and due his 1st tour to afganistan. hes going on the 10th october for 6 months.

TrickyNiki

I understand the logistcal concerns about large quantities of parcles being sent, but I also know that parcles are a HUGE morale booster!!

Maybe some people out there would be willing to post their address and pass out these morale boosting parcles to the men. This would not contravene the rules the MOD have stipulated and due to the annoucement less parcles would be sent out.

I dont know if this would be a good idea or not, any ideas?

arkonite_babe

Please don't post any personal information on the forum, it will be removed as a breach of site rules.

A copy of the site rules can be read in full here for anyone who wishes to do so

Thanks

MSE_Martin wrote:

USERNAMES/ PERSONAL DETAILS
Forum users should not post their or anyone else’s personal details (full names, email addresses, home addresses or telephone numbers).

TrickyNiki

My bad...Thanks for re-informing me about the rules.

(I thought I was on another army forum, how stupid am I?)

Xh2oX

Just a quick reply......unless you have a rank name and number of a member of the forces I am not sure that your parcels will get through. They have to have a service number on the parcel from what I remember.

You can always donate to the British Legion or the SOS website and they will make sure your gifts get through.

Just another word not sure if it is a good idea to post on here dates of tours/flights to sandy places due to security reasons.....you never know!!!!!

Thinking of you all with oh etc away at the moment.

maytaurus

maggymoo wrote: »

Army bosses yesterday banned the public from sending Christmas parcels to war zones – unless they are addressed to a named soldier.

They say parcels to “a British soldier” clog up the mail system and delay prezzies from family.
The MoD also claims the extra load puts lives at risk as special trips must be made to deliver them to the front line.
It urges people to make donations to charities like the Royal British Legion that support servicemen and women instead.

Support Our Soldiers
Welcome to the Xmas Parcels Appeal 2008
There are a number of ways in which you can help –

SOS Xmas Parcel Appeal,
http://www.supportoursoldiers.co.uk/...oucanhelp.html

bosnia

I agree that the MOD's decision to only allow parcels to named troops does seem to be rather mean. There are many members of HM Forces that simply have no-one writing to them, particularly service personel from abroad and to find their mates opening presents and cards and them receiving nothing does not help their morale.

I am an Associate member of a Veterans organisation and they are insistent that they will not forget these individuals and will defy the MOD mandarins by sending parcels out as they previously have done. Do you think that the MOD will return the parcels to the sender or do you think they will get through to the service personnel?

Also, I have a friend who will be in an Army Training Regiment (ATR) at Christmas. Does he quallify for the free parcel service if I send one to him?