Sergeant Garey Stewart (26), from Elgin, is currently on a tour of duty with the Royal Logistic Core in the ammunition supply point at Kandahar airbase.

"Every day, we issue tons of ammunition for the frontline troops. Days are long but we know in our minds the soldiers at the front are our first priority.

"So we get on with the job until it is done. We don't complain even when we are being bombed."

And Sgt Stewart, who has been in the Army for 10 years, said the support of people back home has been heart-warming.

"I often wondered if anyone back in the UK cares about us and the conditions we have to live and work with.

"My question was answered when I came across 'Support Our Soldiers' (SOS). People pack and send parcels to SOS and they forward them on to service personnel," he said.

These boxes include the basics from toiletries, headache tablets, footpowder and small gifts.

"I would like to thank everyone who spared a thought for us and sent us a package of morale. SOS should be recognised and congratulated for there vital contribution.

"They are making my tour easier," added Wiltshire-based Sgt Stewart, "knowing that people care."

The SOS campaign has been backed by the Ministry of Defence and has gained the support of residents in Moray.

Wheeling out the support of staff from the Elgin Health Centre at Maryhill for the Support Our Soldiers (SOS) Christmas appeal, is receptionist Vivienne Toms. She and colleagues filled 20 boxes with comforts including hats, gloves, sweets and toiletries for service personnel, which was collected by local co-ordinator Barry Hodge (right). NS

Just this week, staff from Elgin Health Centre at Maryhill wrapped up 20 shoeboxes filled with comforts for our troops, including sweets and toiletries such as shower gel.

The charity, which has as its patron, TV presenter and model Nell McAndrew, explained it was set up to fill a particular and very important role - helping on a day-to-day basis servicemen and women serving overseas.

A spokesman said: "We don't question the reasons for them being there, we simply do our very best for them and their families.

"It should never be under-estimated what difference a care package or thank you note can make to a soldier thousands of miles away from home, nor a kind word to a mum who's sick with worry while her son or daughter is away on tour."

Through monetary donations, everything from fridges to solar powered chargers for iPods have been sent to war zones, libraries with books and dvds, and welfare huts decorated.

"Every day we receive requests for help, and every day we do our very best to fulfil these. Through Support Our Soldiers, you can let our brave boys and girls know just how proud you are of them and thank them for the dedication, commitment and sacrifices which they make for us," the spokesman added.

Christmas boxes are currently being gathered, which can be filled with items such as tubes of sweets, tinsel, decorations, oatcakes and cereal bars, along with T-shirts and underwear, and toiletries including wet wipes and toothpaste.

Parcels must be received for distribution by November 29, and full details of what to include and where to send them are available from the Support Our Soldiers website.

c.saunderson@northern-scot.co.uk

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