That was the message to Wearsiders who are today asked to help bring a smile to the faces of troops abroad.

In a week which saw the bodies of eight young servicemen flown back from Afghanistan, pleas have gone out for the UK to rally behind out lads.

Sunderland has already seen several of its soldiers killed in recent conflicts.

Now the city's Army Recruitment office wants Wearside to say thank you for their sacrifice.

The recruiting centre has teamed up with charity Support Our Soliders (SOS) and the Royal Artillery "Gunners Club" in Mary Street to collect shoeboxes full of small gifts to send out to servicemen and women.

The collection was set up by Sgt Paul Reid from Washington, who is on a secondment to the recruiting centre from the 2 Rifles – the battalion as five of the eight troops killed in three separate Taliban attacks last week.

Sgt Reid said that watching the coverage of the eight hearses driving through the streets of Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire reminded him why he wanted to organise the collection.

He said: "Everybody was out lining the streets when the procession drove through because people wanted to show they cared.

"This is the chance for people in Sunderland to show they care and look after the lads who are out there."

He had already organised the appeal before the events of last week, but said the news made him more determined to show troops their work was appreciated.

"I know people in Sunderland are very generous and I think everyone knows people in Sunderland are caring and are right behind our armed services, and this is a good opportunity to demonstrate that," he said.

One of the servicemen joining him in the campaign launch was Lance Corporal Liam Young, who received a shoebox from a similar project while he was serving with the Light Dragoons in Afghanistan.

He said: "It was great because we were stuck out in the middle of the desert and suddenly an air drop came in.

"We wondered what it was, and it was parcels. It was just a massive boost for the lads."

Lance Corporal Young said toiletries, condiments and curry powder to liven up rations and extra food items such as dried noodles and sweets were among the most welcome items – though chocolate was a big problem as it just melted in the heat.

Joyce Walker, area co-ordinator for SOS, has already had a big success with other shoebox collections in Sunderland and received scores of moving letters from grateful soldiers.

She said any contribution, no matter how small, would be gratefully received by members of the Army, Navy and Airforce.

Sgt Reid added that he hoped to organise similar collections throughout the year.

Boxes and items can be handed in at the Royal Artillery Club on Mary Street. For more information about Support Our Soldiers and what can be sent, visit www.supportoursoldiers.co.uk