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Appeal gets gifts to soldiers in Afghanistan
Dec 14 2007
HUNDREDS of boxes of gifts are set to be delivered to Afghanistan just in time for Christmas after an appeal in the Birmingham Mail.
Kind-hearted people across Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country have donated presents such as chocolate, sweets, toiletries, magazines, socks and other basics in shoebox-size parcels.
The generous response followed an appeal by Lt Chris Moore, a 27-year-old Royal Naval Reservist from Olton, Solihull, who is being supported by his employer Pertemps People Development Group after being released for duty.
Managing director Steve King said: "As a company we applaud the idea of allowing Chris to serve his country abroad.
"The response to his appeal has been overwhelming and has been supported by the public as well as our own staff.
"We could never have envisaged such a generous response and our offices been inundated with gifts from well-wishers who want to show their support for the troops out in Afghanistan."
On Christmas Day, Chris plans to hand out the gifts to spread good cheer among the troops from countries including Britain, Canada, Denmark, France, Italy, Bulgaria and the US.
Staff gathered at Pertemps People Development Group's Yardley offices to wrap more than 200 parcels and more gifts will be despatched before the deadline this week.
Georgina Murphy, deputy centre manager at PPDG's Yardley Advancement Centre, said: "We have been over-whelmed by the kindness of the people throughout the West Midlands.
"We would like to thank United Footwear, in Stratford Road, Sparkhill, for providing the bulk of the boxes."
