THE FIRST batch of shoeboxes are now on their to soldiers serving on the frontline in Afghanistan.

Thanks to the support from Echo readers in Dorchester and Weymouth 110 boxes were packed and sealed this week and posted to the Middle East.

A team of Echo staff members joined councillor Molly Rennie and Dorchester Mayor Susie Hosford to ensure that Dorset’s soldiers and navy personnel each received a personal shoebox crammed with morale boosting goodies.

Boxes donated by members of the public included heartfelt messages and letters of support as well as pictures and postcards of Dorset.

One parcel from 10-year-old Christine included a hand-written letter to a female soldier that said: “I packed this box just for you – I hope you like the hairbrush and perfume spray because that’s my favourite.

“I wanted to say that I think what you are doing out there is really good and that my daddy used to do a job just like yours in Iraq.”

Other boxes that came from community groups from all around Weymouth and Dorchester showed the amount of time and effort put in to make the boxes as exciting and fun as possible.

Walking into the Echo offices with eight hand-packed boxes on Friday was Patricia Hind and Ron Craddock who said the campaign was a real show of community support for the troops in the Middle East. Patricia said: “I had four sons myself and I was a Navy wife and when I saw this campaign I knew I had to get involved because that could have been one of my sons out there and I’d want everyone to support them.

“I think it’s great and it was good fun making the box – I’ll certainly do more.” Patricia also collected boxes from the Sunny Day Nursery School where parents and children put together the boxes and also mentally handicapped residents of Glendinning Avenue in Weymouth.

If you know anyone who is in Afghanistan and would like a shoebox please get in touch.

Also If you are able to come to the Echo headquarters in Weymouth to help pack the boxes during the next month please contact Miriam on 01305 830985 or alternatively send an email to miriam.phillips@dorsetecho.co.uk