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Soldiers boxing clever thanks to your Christmas spirit

12/12/2007

SERVING soldiers will soon be savouring special seasonal surprises sent straight from Stockport sympathisers.

With the support of the Stockport Express, the Support Our Soldiers organisation has smashed its collection target of 6,500 boxes of goodies to post out to servicemen and women.

Shoeboxes crammed with toiletries, treats, snacks, pharmaceuticals and clothing will now wing their way to the 1,400 troops currently fighting with the Royal Marines 40 Commando and the Mercian Regiment (formerly The Cheshires).

All face extreme heat and discomfort this Christmas.

Spokesman Ken Brotherwood, himself an ex-royal marine, said: "We at the Stockport SOS branch wanted to show fighting forces know they are not forgotten at this special time of year, by sending a few creature comforts to as many as possible.

"And the public response has been tremendous - overwhelming.

"It makes an enormous difference, especially when you have come off a three or four-day patrol where you’ve been shot at in temperatures of up to 140 degrees, to return to a box like the thousands we have sent out.

"It will be a great boost and more keep coming in every day."

Ken, from Heaton Chapel, added: "On behalf of SOS and the servicemen and women, I would like to say a big thank you to the enormous number of good Stockport folk who got involved in this extremely worthwhile effort."

Donations flooded in from schools, community groups, businesses and the general public, keen to show support for the men and women risking their lives in duty.

Parcels were dropped off at Marple Social and Forces Club and The Legion in Cheadle Hulme.

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