The Staffordshire Regiment is currently serving as one of the last units in Afghanistan before the handover to the Afghan Government in mid 2014. The 3 Mercian Soldiers have also had the added pressure of having the tour extended from 6 to 9 months during which the facilities in Afghan are slowly being withdrawn. By the time the Regiment get towards the end of their tour they will be operating under basic facilities. Now Christmas has passed and the troops have received their parcels from family and loved ones, morale is at a high. To further boost their morale and let the troops know that we care we are holding a" boxes for soldiers" day. This is a chance for the people of Stafford and surrounding areas to give a item/s to be sent to the troops.

We will be located in the ex-Virgin Media unit at the Guildhall Shopping Centre on the above date and time and will provide the boxes for the public to come and donate and pack a shoe box. This will then be sealed and labelled and sent to the troops of 3 Mercian Regiment. If the public wish they can leave the boxes for us to pack and seal.

Items not permitted would be aerosols, chocolate or crisps and biscuits.

All other items any be checked before packing.

We have found from experience that books are too heavy and this reduces the items per box.

During the last tour, Stafford sent 260 boxes. We aim to beat this number and hopefully aim to send one box per soldier.

Come along have a chat, Donate a item/s. Pack a box.

The Chairman and Branch look forward to meeting you all.

Dave Lovell

Chairman

Staffordshire Regimental Association

Stafford Branch