WeAreTheCity is supporting the charity Support Our Soldiers (SOS), this year, in its Christmas campaign to send care parcels to British Armed Forces serving overseas and we would like your help.
SOS was formed in March 2003 and has since sent over 130,000 morale boosting care parcels to those on the frontline. The charity has also helped countless families through difficult times with their loved ones away on tour.
SOS supports all of the Armed Services and all ranks within. It also works closely with the medical teams in Afghanistan and the UK to provide support for the injured.
Throughout November WeAreTheCity is acting as a drop off point for parcels put together by the public and we are calling on you to put together care packages yourself, or donate items to be included in others.
Care/welfare packages are much appreciated by members of our Armed Forces serving on overseas operations, because they represent the support and goodwill of people other than their own families. The parcels let them know that the UK appreciates their hard work and supports them whilst overseas.
We are calling on you as individuals or businesses to find shoeboxes and fill them with goodies for our Armed Forces to enjoy this Christmas. There are however some very important points to note before sending a care parcel.
Parcels MUST be sent to named personnel only yet the details of service personnel cannot be given out UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. Parcels CANNOT be sent to ‘A Soldier’ or ‘Any Soldier’ and any addressed in this way may be returned to sender.
Therefore, all parcels must be checked and posted on your behalf by your local SOS Area Coordinator, who will collect your parcels from WeAreTheCity, Warren House, 10-20 Main Road, Hockley, Essex, SS5 4QS.
SOS and the MOD leave December free for family to send post to their loved ones serving overseas, so all boxes must reach us by the DEADLINE OF NOVEMBER 28th to be posted on time.
Suggested Parcel Items
Below is a list of suggested parcel items but this is not by any means definitive.
Parcels MUST weigh no more than 2kg including all packaging. All parcels are opened and checked before posting, for security reasons, so please do not seal your boxes.
We are NOT ALLOWED to send aerosols, glass, batteries, Christmas crackers, party poppers, lighters or matches.
We recommend that you include a variety of items; these are far nicer to receive than for example a box containing just toiletries. For the Christmas campaign please also consider Santa hats, Christmas cake, decorations, etc and a Christmas card with a personal note to thank our brave servicemen and women.
Please write on your box MALE, FEMALE or UNISEX depending on the items included inside.
Savoury Snacks | Sweet Snacks | Confectionary | Toiletry / Pharmacy | Recreation | Misc |
Pringles | Biscuits | Chocolate Bars | Shower Gel | Puzzle Books | Boot Laces |
Stock Cubes | Fruit/Cereal Bars | Travel Sweets | Conditioner | Paperback Books | Blank Greetings Cards |
Noodles | Small Cakes | Mints | Sanitary Protection | Pencils | Message of Support |
Savoury Rice | Packets Custard | Energy Sweets | Lip Salve | Pens | Underwear |
Beef Jerky | Condensed Milk | Chocolate Peanuts | Tissues | Artists Paints | T Shirts |
Pork Scratching’s | Evaporated Milk | Love Hearts etc | Travel Wash | Notebooks | Socks/Undies |
Nuts | Shortbread | Chocolate Raisins | Talcum Powder | Batteries | |
Crisps | Dried Fruit | Fudge | Wet/Moist Wipes | Sketch Books | |
Packet Soups | Small Tins Fruit | Fruit Pastilles etc | Shaving Gel | Jigsaws | |
Crackers | Fruit Flakes | Toffee | Shampoo | Travel Games | |
Oatcakes | Lollipops | Cotton Buds | Playing Cards | ||
Chewing Gum | Imodium | Sport Programmes | |||
Toothbrushes | Magazines (NOT TOP SHELF) | ||||
Insect Repellant | |||||
Razors | |||||
Rennie | |||||
Toothpaste | |||||
Roll on Deodorant |
Any questions please contact the Essex Area Coordinator Kayleigh Bateman at [email protected] who can provide details of an alternative drop off point in Rayleigh.
Support Our Soldiers is Registered Charity No 1120684