Littlehampton care boxes help brave troops overseas

The town’s branch of the national charity, Support Our Soldiers, set up only last month, has despatched its first set of gift parcels to troops serving on the frontline in Helmand province.

About 30 food parcels packed with goodies donated by people from this area have been sent out by the branch.

Penny Keen is the area co-ordinator for the Littlehampton wing.

The 62-year-old grandmother-of-three runs the operation from her lounge, in Buttermere Way.

She said the goodwill boxes were aimed at brightening the lives of troops who may not have family or friends back in the UK supporting them.

“For those troops who don’t receive packages from loved ones, it can be very discouraging, demoralising and often depressing.

“Our aim is to let them know that there are people back home who do care about the incredible work they do, on a daily basis, to protect Queen and country.

“It’s only a small thing but it’s something that means so much to the troops.”

It’s a wonderful feeling

Penny, a retired businesswoman, said she had been inspired to try to do her bit to support those fighting overseas at the end of last year.

She had been helping to wrap gift parcels for her friend’s son, who was serving on his first tour in Afghanistan, when the idea came to her.

“I thought, ‘What about all the people who don’t get any parcels – that has to be heartbreaking’.

“So that’s when I did some research and discovered Support our Soldiers.”

Penny now hopes to urge more people to come forward and donate to the cause.

She said the satisfaction she received every time a soldier wrote to the charity, expressing thanks for its support, was immeasurable.

“I’ve had two letters come back from overseas, saying thank-you.

“It’s just such a wonderful feeling, knowing that you are helping someone,” she said.

Although most of the parcels go to those serving overseas, Penny added some would be sent to troops across army hospitals in the UK, recovering from injuries received on the frontline.

Some packages will go to Selly Oak Hospital, in Birmingham, and Headley Court, in Surrey among others.

Help is needed

Penny added that, as well as getting people to support the Littlehampton branch, she needed more businesses in the area to offer a helping hand.

She is appealing to businesses, big and small, from across Littlehampton, Bognor, Arundel, Chichester and the surrounding villages, to become special collections points for the charity.

“All they would have to do is leave a space for a shoebox parcel to be dropped off,” she said, “I would then come and collect it.”

Anyone who can help 
should call Penny on 01903 719818 or email [email protected]