Parcels of joy from Weymouth to our troops (From Dorset Echo)

Parcels of joy from Weymouth to our troops

11:00am Tuesday 20th October 2009 in Campaigns By Miriam Phillips

PRAYERS and good wishes from Weymouth are on their way to Afghanistan for our troops serving on the frontline.

Across Weymouth and Dorchester members of the community have been showing their support for servicemen and women in Afghanistan by donating goodies and boxes for the Treats for Troops Campaign.

This week as Echo staff and volunteers are packing up the last of the boxes to send off to named soldiers, seaman and RAF personnel, readers have been handing in the final shoeboxes for the campaign.

Childminder Katie Elliott from Dolls House Childminders in Weymouth donated four boxes after spending hours with the children packing the boxes and drawing pictures.

She said: “It was really good fun actually and three of the children we care for have parents who have fought for our country so we felt this campaign was a fantastic idea.

“The parents themselves said how lovely it would have been for them to receive a shoebox while they were in Afghanistan.”

The children, aged from newborn to nine years, all got involved and included letters, drawings and goodies for the troops.

Meanwhile, members of the Salvation Army Church in Weymouth donated 47 boxes to the appeal as part of their Harvest celebrations.

Major Granville Myers from the Salvation Army said this year the congregation donated the filled boxes during a harvest service and a prayer was said over them.

The donation bins for Treats For Troops have now been collected from around Weymouth and Dorchester and the parcels will be sent off this week.

For more information and to read letters from soldiers visit www.dorset echo.co.uk/campaigns/shoebox n Do you know any soldiers or RAF and Navy servicemen in Afghanistan who would like a shoebox? If so contact Miriam Phillips on 01305 830985 or miriam.phillips@dorsetecho.co.uk