Our Troops in Afghanistan need your help
and support
Many of you already know me; as the saying goes, I have been around for
years! But for those of you, who do not, I am a local girl who left to join the Army way
back in 1978, married a serving soldier and returned to Sheringham when he had completed
his service. Over the years we returned many times as we had bought our own property here
ready for our return and have always kept abreast and involved in what is happening here
at home. There are several things that we hold close to our hearts, some of them are
family, community, our Armed Services and our Country. It is for one of these that I am
making an appeal. I am a firm believer that whether you agree with the conflict that our
troops are taking part in or not, the men and women deserve our appreciation and support.
After all, they choose to serve their Country but do not choose where they are posted.
Everyone serving currently is a son, daughter, brother, sister, husband, wife or friend,
wherever they are in the world, they are there because their Country has sent them.
Some of our troops currently serving in Afghanistan are in need of some morale boosting
from the civilian population and that is where you come in. Warrant Officer Class 2 Eddie
Craven, the Welfare Officer based in Afghanistan is working on a project to decorate and
enhance the Morale, Recreation and Welfare hut. His aim is to try and give the girls and
boys he is looking after somewhere they can go to relax and take their minds off what is
happening outside the base. The hut is very bland and bare compared to the other coalition
forces huts, which are decorated with banners, flags, gifts and other reminders and
messages of support for people at home. Camp Alamo, near Kabul is home to the UK
Leadership Training Team, (UKLTT) and their role is to train and mentor the Afghan Army
and the team is made up of varied cap badges. Little gestures go a long way when you are
in a foreign land under stressful circumstances and their morale will be lifted to know
that people, other than immediate family and friends, care and recognise the work that
they are doing.
If you would like to send them a letter of support, a card to give them a giggle, or a
'Goodie parcel' as we used to call them, it would make all the difference. They are in
need of basic toiletries like razor heads MAC3/fushion, moisterisers, shampoo,
conditioner, soap, toothpaste, etc. If you would like to send them small gifts, for
example, puzzle books, playing cards, indeed anything that will help to pass the time or
just make them smile, anything at all, it will be gratefully received. We are not asking
for large expensive items. A painting from a child that just says underneath, 'come home
safe', can change your mood for days.
If you would like to send directly to them please send to: 24713005 WO2 (QMSI) Eddie
Craven, Welfare Officer, UKLTT, OCS, Camp Alamo, BFPO 758. Postage is charged at UK
mainland rates and packages must not weigh more than 2kg.
Alternatively, we have a collection box up here in the office and there will also be one
in the SheringhamPlus Office, 3 Station Road, Sheringham. If you would like to put in a
small item or letter/card, please drop them in and we will send them on your behalf. We
hope to have more collection points later as this is going to be ongoing for the
foreseeable future. Please be aware that they are not allowed any alcohol at all, it is a
completely dry zone, so please do not send any over. Any items unsuitable to send to them
will be used in a raffle or tombola to help to raise money towards the costs of postage.
Please support us in this appeal, they are always there for us when we need them, let us
be there for them now they need us.
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