<h2>Hi</h2>

Public urged not to send Xmas mail to theatre

16 Sep 2011 02:59 PM

Generous members of the public who show their support for the Armed Forces by sending welfare parcels to Afghanistan are being urged to stop and think and consider alternative and more effective ways they can back the troops at Christmas time.

The plea comes direct from military personnel at the sharp end of operations, and their message is simple: while they really appreciate support from back home, the mountains of well-intentioned mail cause genuine difficulties which outweigh the benefits.

For one thing, getting all the goodwill parcels to forward operating bases means that additional resupply flights and convoys have to be laid on, which places Service personnel at additional risk in what is already a difficult and dangerous operating environment.

Full article, photos and related links