Keighley people are being urged to support an appeal to send festive parcels to troops serving on the frontline.

Goodies ranging from sweets to toiletries will be distributed to Afghanistan and elsewhere as part of the Support Our Soldiers Christmas Parcel Appeal.

Wendy McCann, co-ordinator for this area, said it was hoped to send 12,000 parcels. They could contain items such as chocolate, sweets, biscuits, crisps, raisins, dried apricots, nuts, chewing gum, cup-a-soup, coffee, toiletries, stationery and festive goods.

Wendy said: “The aim is that these parcels will be slightly different from the monthly care packages and contain more treat items to help the troops celebrate the festive period whilst they are overseas and separated from their families.

“We are always looking for individuals, organisations or schools who wish to donate items or have a parcel fillers collection box in their offices. Even the smallest donation makes a big difference to the morale of the troops serving in Afghanistan and other areas.”

To get involved or make a donation, contact Wendy on Bradford@supportoursoldiers.co.uk or (01274) 674176.

For information, visit supportoursoldiers.co.uk.

  • Keighley’s Conservative MP took time out from meetings at his party’s annual conference to pack a box to be sent to a soldier serving in Afghanistan.

The initiative was organised in co-operation with Support our Soldiers, which has been putting together care parcels for serving soldiers since 2003.

Kris Hopkins joined a number of other MPs, ministers, party staff, journalists and delegates to pack a box of treats, together with an accompanying note thanking the soldiers for their service and wishing them well.

Mr Hopkins, a former soldier who was recently appointed Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Armed Forces Minister, said: “I felt very privileged to take part in this year’s Social Action project at the Conservative party conference. Support our Soldiers is a hugely valuable organisation, first set up by two mums whose sons were about to deploy to the Gulf.”