Sending parcels to Afghan 22 July 2010 at 2:21PM in UK armed forces MoneySaving 9 replies 1.7K views

SusieWinwood

After reading info elsewhere, it seems that people are discouraged from sending 'goody' parcels to soldiers as they 'clog up' the postal system.

Is this true? as a few sites say the MOD has effecticely 'vetoed' it apart from their families.

I'd like to send some bits out to make their life a bit more tolerable but don't want to cause more problems.

TIA

scubaangel

Yes, mail is only going to get through the system if being sent to a named soldier, particularly at 'peak' times like Christmas. If you want to still be involved though there are a few organisations who have made agreements to send parcels http://www.supportoursoldiers.co.uk/carepackages.html

Lucy_lastic_2

Some companies do foward on the mail, I will try and find a list for you. If you send mail without a full address for a named solider it is unlikely to get through as family parcels tend to take priority etc. Local papers sometimes do appeals for regiments who are based in the area, the Sun also provides a support the troops service? The British Legion may also bite your arm off for support? xx

esmf73

As Lucy said - try and find out who your local regiment is and contact their welfare officer. There may well be someone who doesn't have a supportive family who would be grateful of the parcels. x

13Kent

I'm afraid it is true - especially around Xmas time when parcels from friends and family sometimes don't get through due to the volume of post. However you can send things through organisations such as Support our Soldiers - I believe they make arrangements for delivering parcels that do not conflict with the normal post.

BAILEYS6904

Hiya

As the previous posters have stated, Support our Soldiers are authorised by the MOD to send welfare parcels across to the troops in Afghanistan, as well as other foreign parts. They also work closely with MOD to ensure that mail sent does not interfere with operations that may be going on, and also family parcels at peak times such as Christmas.

Support our Soldiers sent over 12,000 parcels for Christmas 2009 campaign, and send out more throughout the year. Send me a pm if you want more info x

mrscameron

I'd really like to send some things out to soldiers that don't get any mail,but as you can't send them without a name etc i don't know how to do this. If anyone would like me to send anything to their friend/family member please let me know i'd love to get involved

BAILEYS6904

mrscameron wrote: »

I'd really like to send some things out to soldiers that don't get any mail,but as you can't send them without a name etc i don't know how to do this. If anyone would like me to send anything to their friend/family member please let me know i'd love to get involved

As stated above, only nominated charities can do this. This is because we work with the MOD to ensure that there is no influx of mail when helicopters are needed for ops, ensure that everyone serving in afghan for christmas is catered for, there is no breach of security etc.

I volunteer for Support our soldiers registered charity (www.supportoursoldiers.co.uk), who are one of the few charities with approval to do the christmas parcels. If you want any more info, please feel free to pm me, or ask on here

Thanks and hope that this helps xx

whatalife_2

If any of you are on facebook you can join the "adopt a british squaddie" group and they give you details of where to send parcels. Hope this is of some use to you all )

BAILEYS6904

I am really concerned about this!!! In no way should this facebook group be sending out details of members of our armed forces to all and sundry!!!! Could be giving secure information to anyone!!!

As I said before, please, anyone wanting to send parcels, please go to the MOD website and you can see who are authorised there to send parcels out, in a controlled and security conscious way.

HTH