Troops in Afghanistan thank Budleigh couple

TROOPS fighting in Afghanistan have thanked a Budleigh Salterton couple who collected and sent them Christmas presents.

Jean and Colin Gregory of Sherbrook Close started collecting shoe boxes stuffed with presents to troops two years ago because her son, Major Keith Gregory, was serving overseas in the Territorial Army.

The Support the Troops Shoe Box Appeal is supported by Jean’s band of generous volunteers, as well as David Rhys & Co, Tax World and Otterton Mill - and they hoped to repeat their previous success.

Soldiers were sent items like biscuits, sweets, soap, socks, comics, torches, magazines, plasters, tea bags and even Pot Noodle.

Captain Matt Howard of The Royal Regiment of Scotland wrote a thank you card: “I wanted to drop you a ‘wee’ card from all of us in Afghanistan that have benefited from your hard work and incredibly thoughtful actions; to say ‘thank you very much’

for giving to British soldiers this Christmas!

“Your efforts are greatly appreciated and you will probably have some idea as to how incredibly important it is for us to know that we are supported back home.

“Your parcels delivered that and more! The soldiers of D Coy 5 SCOTS were the main recipients of your parcels, so from all of us in The Royal Regiment of Scotland this festive season, I would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and an even Happier New Year.”

Jean said: “The morale of the troops is greatly boosted by the thought that the public have taken time and effort to acknowledge their circumstances and are truly appreciative of their boxes. There is much delight opening the gifts to discover what they contain and they then often swap items amongst each other, adding to the fun. “