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Good Samaritans told 'DON'T send Christmas parcels to our troops abroad' by MoD Scrooges; MoD bosses have told wellwishers DON'T send Xmas parcels to our troops
Topic Started: Nov 27 2010, 12:33 AM (44 Views)
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Good Samaritans told 'DON'T send Christmas parcels to our troops abroad' by MoD Scrooges
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1333350/Good-Samaritans-told-DONT-send-Christmas-parcels-troops-abroad-MoD-Scrooges.html
By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 1:43 PM on 26th November 2010

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Scrooge-like Ministry of Defence bosses have told generous wellwishers not to send unsolicited Christmas gifts to servicemen in Afghanistan. Members of the public hoping to brighten the day of a serviceman have been warned that their gifts risk putting a strain on helicopters and stopping mail from family and friends getting through.

Instead, people are being urged to donate to service support charities rather than sending their own gift packages.
Christmas for the soldiers: The MoD has warned members of the public that their gifts risk blocking mail from family and friends
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Christmas for the soldiers: The MoD has warned members of the public that their gifts risk blocking mail from family and friends

There is just a week to go until the December 3 deadline for families to send post to their loved ones in time for Christmas.

However public mail, often addressed only to 'a soldier', can clog up the system according to MoD bosses. Head of British Forces Post Office (BFPO), Brigadier Russell Beattie, said: 'All the staff throughout the BFPO network worldwide are focused on the particular challenges of getting personal mail through at Christmas.

'This is of course particularly important where it concerns service personnel deployed on operations, not least because of the often acute difficulties of reaching individuals in some very inaccessible locations.
Prayer: Coalition soldiers attend mass on Christmas eve 2002 at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan
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Prayer: Coalition soldiers attend mass on Christmas eve 2002 at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan

'Whilst the sentiment behind the public wishing to send welfare parcels is gratefully acknowledged it is far better that they donate to established service charities as they can focus support directly to areas of greatest need.'

In the lead up to Christmas, soldiers at the BFPO in Northolt, west London, and in Kandahar and Helmand in Afghanistan will be working around the clock to make sure mail gets through. Unsolicited mail arriving at Camp Bastion can prevent personal post from getting through.

Delivering parcels to remote outposts can mean additional resupply helicopters and road convoys are required, placing troops at risk. And goodwill packages often contain items which are already available to the soldiers, therefore going to waste.

The Ministry of Defence recommended donations are made instead to organisations including The Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) Operational Welfare Fund, uk4u Thanks! Christmas Box Scheme, Support Our Soldiers, and Thank The Forces.
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