No more soldier care packages says MoD

[Geezer]

http://www.croydonguardian.co.uk/news/4 ... _says_MoD/

4:30pm Thursday 12th November 2009

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By Kirsty Whalley »


Soldiers from Afghanistan have been so overwhelmed with care packages from members of the public the Ministry of Defence (MoD) are asking people to stop sending them.

The British Forces Post Office (BFPO) has instructed Royal Mail staff not to accept any parcels addressed to unnamed soldiers because thousands of unsolicited packages are overloading the system.

Lieutenant Colonel Brett Duxbury from the BFPO said they will not be passing anonymous care packages onto 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.”

[Post Off]

Hm, yeah, I can see why that could create problems along the system, especially items that may cause security headaches. But what's this 'unsolicited' mail thingy they're going on about? I hope they're not being sent junk mail.

Still, it's a bit heartless of the MOD to just mention the cost aspect, especially so near to it being Christmas when everyone is wanting to be extra caring towards our (other) men and women serving in the field. Perhaps the MOD should have foreseen this and made a governmental commercial educating the public what this service is truly meant for and to also mention the likes of 'The Royal British Legion', or maybe even these guys... http://www.helpforheroes.org.uk/

H4H (Help for Heroes) makes it easy for peeps to donate in all manner of ways, including their 'Troop Aid' project, which works in a more specific way than just a 'care package'.

Incidentally, if you're lucky enough to own an iPod Touch, or iPhone you can get hold an app that allows you donate and 'grow' your own poppy. Erm, I haven't got one, mostly because I've been thinking about giving four or five quid a month through something called 'Give As You Earn', but I haven't totally decided on that path yet.

[carpbarbel]

its not junk mail, its genuine people sending small gifts to our troops although they may not have a relation in afganistan.

[noggin1969]

It all a

[janitor]

So it would cost an extra £19 million, so maybe if they diverted some of that £47 million they have just paid to MOD civil servants in bonuses there wouldn't be a problem would there, i am sure the civil service couldn't begrudge this to our troops.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

its not junk mail, its genuine people sending small gifts to our troops although they may not have a relation in afganistan.

Yep I got similar things in Bosnia and let me tell you it made me feel very grateful and humble at the same time. In fact there was a letter in my care packet and I am still in touch with the family who sent it to "A UK serviceman in Bosnia".

All they sent was chocolate bars, toilet roll (most important thing in there IMHO), talcum powder, crisps and a few paper back books. But every single item was gratefully received and extremely welcome.

If you have sent one

[Lounge Lizard]

So it would cost an extra £19 million, so maybe if they diverted some of that £47 million they have just paid to MOD civil servants in bonuses there wouldn't be a problem would there, i am sure the civil service couldn't begrudge this to our troops.

Except that the bonuses aren't bonuses, they were negatiated as part of the annual pay deals, the MoD insisting on an increasing proportion of pay being in the form of bonuses because they aren't pensionable and are therefore cheaper - and the reason there are so many civil servants in the Ministry of Defemce is because they're much cheaper than service personnel.

[firestarter1]

there are an old couple near us who were in the local paper recently.they were sent a letter thanking them for there packets to "anybody"but please stop as they were taking up all the capacity instead of things like,ammo,water,uniforms.

they vowed to keep sending them.. thanks gran and grandad..

[Lounge Lizard]

Perhaps the packages could instead be sent to ordinary Afghani citizens - they just might help to 'win their hearts and minds'