A message from home

Sarah Tamburrini decided to collect items for the parcels after her husband Sean Smith mentioned that his colleagues often ran out of essentials like soap and toothpaste.

The 29-year-old joined the army aged just 17, and was sent out to Afghanistan in September, just a month after marrying 25-year-old Sarah.

“My husband is serving out there and he said that sometimes the lads out there are struggling for things,” said mum-of-one Sarah.

“He has been in Afghanistan since September, and I have been sending things out for him and for other lads because they are running out of the things they need.”

“That’s when I thought about organising an appeal and getting other people to help out, so we could send some boxes out in time for Valentine’s Day.”

There are a number of items that can be included in the boxes including small bars of chocolate, sweets, crisps, chewing gum, toiletries and socks - as long as they are small enough to fit in a shoe box.

“Basically anything that will still be in date at the end of March can be included, apart from aerosol cans,” said Sarah.

But although they are a massive help, it isn’t just the shoe boxes that the soldiers need.

“If anyone would also like to send a letter or become a pen pal with a soldier that would be great,” added Sarah.

“It’s so important that they know people back at home care about them and appreciate what they are doing.”

Once all of the items are in Sarah will be packaging them up into shoe boxes and sending them over to troops serving on the front line.

“As long as each package weighs under 2kgs then it is free to send them out to the soldiers,” said Sarah.

“We have got quite a few things together already and my friends and family have been getting involved as well, which is really great.”

Anyone who wants to donate any items for the boxes can contact Sarah through Facebook or take the items to the Lord Byron pub before Tuesday 10th January.