Public kindness is killing forces postal system
MEMBERS of the public who want to send gifts to troops serving overseas at Christmas are being urged to hold fire.
The British Forces Post Office says it is struggling to get parcels to service personnel from their families, let alone gifts from strangers.
The additional parcels, although generous, could potentially delay those from family and close friends reaching personnel in Iraq, Afghanistan and other countries. The Ministry of Defence is now urging people to show their support for troops in other ways.
Bases in the area have backed the call.
Sqn Ldr Tony Walsh, spokesman for RAF Wittering, said: "We really appreciate the huge support that the public give to our servicemen and women. But people have been so supportive that we are struggling to cope with the demand as we approach Christmas.
"We need to give priority to post from families to their loved ones at this time of year."
He added that the increase in post was even threatening essential resources, and further risked those sent by relatives becoming delayed or lost.
Maj Kevin Radwell at St George's Barracks in North Luffenham echoed Mr Walsh's comments.
The concern has been caused by members of the public being allowed to send parcels weighing up to 2kg through the post system for free to unnamed service personnel.
The M0D has now urged the public to save their generosity until after Christmas.
An MoD spokesman said it recognised and acknowledged the huge desire for members of the public to support armed personnel on operations.
He said: "Servicemen and women value the knowledge that comparative strangers are thinking of them.
"But parcels from the general public add considerably to the extra volume of mail, especially at Christmas, and place a huge additional burden on the logistic supply chain both to and within the operational theatres.
As usual, to ensure they do not go without this Christmas, soldiers will each receive a gift box of goodies put together by charity uk4u Thanks! Some 24,000 boxes are already being shipped out to make sure they land in stockings in time for Christmas morning.
One alternative way to show support for British troops is to make a donation to uk4u Thanks! or sponsor a Christmas box.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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