The annual drive to send treats to troops on the frontline has begun.
Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning has launched his Treats for Troops campaign and is counting on the support of readers.
He said: “We always have such a great response and I have had such a lot of positive feedback from the troops in Afghanistan.”
People are being asked to pack a shoebox sized parcel full of goodies and drop it off at one of the many collection points around Dacorum before Friday, November 23.
The packages will be sent to troops in Afghanistan and, for the first time, the Falkland Islands.
Mr Penning, a former soldier himself, said: “I liaise directly with the commanding officers to ensure that our parcels are distributed to those who do not have much family support from back home and for these servicemen and women in particular, Christmas can be a difficult time.”
Shoeboxes can be packed with toiletries, savoury snacks, package soups, cereal bars, confectionery, clothing, reading material, pens, sunscreens, batteries and messages of support.
Drop-off points for the packages are at Mr Penning’s office on the 6th floor of Hamilton House, Marlowes; Hemel Hempstead Conservatives, Davidson House, 168 Queensway; Dacorum Borough Council Civic Centre, Marlowes; Hobletts Manor Junior School, Adeyfield Road; Bennetts End and Highfield community centres; Kings Langley’s The Village, Charter Court, Vicarage Lane; Markyate’s Tates Coaches office, 44 High Street; Anna Barnard of 9 Hempstead Lane, Potten End, contact 01442 874760; and Heather Mole at 35 Ringshall in Little Gaddesden, contact 01442 842185.
Parcels for female soldiers should be marked with an F on the outside. Packages must be received before the cut off date to guarantee they arrive with troops before Christmas.
Mr Penning said: “I thank the people of Dacorum for their continuing support of this.”
For more information visit Mr Penning’s website at www.mikepenning.com
> For details of Remembrance services that are being held across the borough on Sunday, turn to page 7.