Hedge End’s Sainsbury’s gives gift boxes to soldiers off to Afghanistan

Customers and members of staff at Hedge End’s Sainsbury’s have donated almost £1,000 worth of ‘shoebox’ items for members of Marchwood-based 17 Port and Maritime Regiment; Royal Logistic Corps on their way to Afghanistan.

Eighty soldiers deployed on Operation Herrick have each taken a gift box filled with home comforts including DVDs, toothbrushes, soap, and sweets (not chocolate – it melts!)

The donations were collected during a two week period and providing the gift boxes was the idea of PR ambassador, Kathy Lewis, who said, “Two members of staff have a son serving with the regiment, WO2 Steve Hill, and we thought it would be a good idea to send him and his colleagues away with a gift.”

As the boxes were handed over Commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel Simon Hutchings thanked Sainsbury’s, “I want to express my sincere gratitude to Sainsbury’s staff and customers for their very generous donation of the goody boxes." He added, "It is a real morale boost to the men and women on operations knowing they have this kind of support at home.”

If you would like to send a gift to Afghanistan the Ministry of Defence ask that you do so through designated charities rather than posting individually as this can delay personal post getting through.The gift boxes from Sainsbury's went out with the soldiers to ensure that the postal service in the operational theatre remained clear.

The charity uk4u Thanks!  provides Christmas boxes full of presents as a gift from the nation to those serving overseas and away from their families on Christmas Day and SSAFA is an organisation set up to support soldiers, sailors, airmen and their families.

The 'Public support for our Service personnel' page on the Ministry of Defence website details other ways in which you can support Servicemen and women.