WIREDGOV

With 50 days to go until Christmas the Ministry of Defence is urging the public to consider Service charities as an alternative way of showing their support, rather than sending unsolicited parcels to personnel serving abroad.

Every year the British Forces Post Office (BFPO) is overwhelmed by the generosity of the public who send individuals, and groups, boxes of treats in operational theatres. But while this kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated, it unintentionally causes a delay in personnel receiving the mail that counts the most - that from friends and family.

As the volume of post builds up in the run-up to Christmas, management and staff at British Forces Post Office (London), based at RAF Northolt in Middlesex, wish to highlight the unintended consequences of the public's generosity - the mountains of well-intentioned mail that cause genuine difficulties for those charged with its delivery.

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