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Don't send surprise parcels
WELL-WISHERS across Wearside and East Durham are being asked to stop sending surprise Christmas parcels to unnamed British service personnel.
Defence chiefs said the seasonal surge in post jeopardises front-line supplies and makes it more difficult for mail from families and loved ones to get through.
The Ministry of Defence says that additional post in the system can delay the delivery of personal mail from loved ones, which is of huge importance to those away from home for long periods during the festive season.
It also says the main focus of the supply chain must be to deliver essential combat supplies such as ammunition, medical equipment and food, rather than post from well-wishers.
Lieutenant Colonel Brett Duxbury, from the British Forces Post Office (BFPO), said they will not be passing anonymous care packages on to soldiers in Afghanistan.
To send all of them would cost the MoD an extra 19million.
He said: "The free delivery system was set up so families and friends of soldiers could send a package of 2kg or under.
"Unsolicited mail was placing a massive strain of the supply train and delaying personal mail from home.
"We thank the British public for their generosity but we are asking people to support the services in other ways such as through dedicated charities."
The MoD is encouraging well-wishers to donate to charities such as Support Our Soldiers, which provides shoeboxes filled with much-needed items for troops serving overseas.
Others that support British service personnel include the Royal British Legion, SSAFA, Army Benevolent Fund and Help for Heroes.
The MoD is also asking people to donate to the new Operational Welfare Fund, which supplies troops in remote Forward Operating Bases with "morale-boosting" equipmentm, including solar-powered chargers, boxing training pads, skipping ropes, solar or wind-up radios, portable DVD players and DVDs, games consoles and LED lanterns.
An Mod spokesman said: "The Operational Welfare Fund is focused on providing support direct to the front line and enables commanders on the ground to bid for those items which they deem will have the most significant impact in enhancing the morale of their personnel."
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Weather for Sunderland
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Heavy sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -0 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
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