Bexleyheath post office 'stunned' by donations for troops

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A POST OFFICE owner in Bexleyheath is stunned at the public’s response to her Christmas collection for soldiers in Afghanistan.

Diane Garton, 53, launched the scheme a week ago at the post office she runs in Long Lane.

Her plan was to collect one small box of inexpensive food and gifts to send to the troops in Afghanistan, an idea thought up after realising some of her customers were soldiers.

A week on, the post office has collected 30 full boxes of donations.

Diane said: “We are most surprised how generous the people of Bexleyheath have been.

“We were joking earlier that we would be a royal borough like Wootton Bassett soon.”

A number of unusual donations have been given to staff as well.

The postmistress of three years added: “One lady bought in dog treats because there are dogs out there too.

“Another bought some cosmetics because we forget there are women out there as well as the men.”

Regular post office visitor, Lisa Ashdown, 42, of Holly Gardens in Bexleyheath, said: “A couple of weeks ago they put a sign up and then it has spiralled - it is amazing.

“People do send shoe boxes out to troops at Christmas but there are so many restrictions with them, you are so limited.

“Those who have bought in the unusual items are thinking about what they would like to receive if they were in Afghanistan at Christmas, I suppose.”

Plans are in place to post the collection to Afghanistan in the first or second week of December, with Royal Mail sending all deliveries to warzones free of charge.

Any further donations are welcomed.