Treats for soldiers on the battlefield
Hundreds of parcels have been flown to soldiers in Afghanistan in missions inspired by Black Country servicemen.
Carol Clements, of Tipton, started sending packages of food and other essentials to her nephew, 33-year-old Corporal Jonathan Clements, who was serving as a military policeman in the war torn country.
And when her dance class heard about her efforts, members decided to help send parcels to his comrades, too.
A similar effort has been mounted by postal workers at Walsall's Royal Mail centre, who despatched more than 40 gift boxes packed with toiletries and snacks.
The effort was organised by Tracey Plant, aged 45, Julie Grice, 43, and Carina Aston, 30, whose brother Lance Cpl Darrel Haynes, of Cleeves Road, Bloxwich, is currently serving in Afghanistan with the 28th Royal Engineers.
Carol, aged 44, a teacher at Joseph Leckie Primary school in Walsall, said Jonathan was first stationed to Afghanistan 18 months ago.
He has since been transferred to Cyprus, but she and the 35 members of the Triple M line dancing class in Woodcross have continued to send parcels to the front line.
"They are struggling for basic supplies of things like soap, deodorant, sanitising hand gel – essentials that we can just nip out and buy, but are impossible for them to get hold of," she said.
"I sent out toothbrushes one week and they were so gratefully received and I have already received letters back from the troops saying thank you.
"So far I have sent out shampoo, shower gel, deodorant, soap and toothbrushes, as well as sweets, chewing gum, crisps and biscuits. I wanted to say a big thank you. I have not been able to talk to individually to thank them for everything they are doing.
"The soldiers out there appreciate it so much."
Manwhile, delivery staff at the postal centre in Darwall Street, Walsall, have stuffed shoeboxes to be flown to troops in Musq Qala, Helmand Province after hearing that former Sneyd School pupil Darrel said some soldiers had never received anything.
Mrs Plant said: "We wrote a letter to our colleagues last Friday about the collection and within hours they were bringing donations of Pot Noodles, shampoo, socks and stationery.
"We have now posted 42 shoeboxes directly to Darrel who will distribute them to soldiers at his base."
