Public support means a great deal to Service personnel, particularly those on operations. They appreciate the generosity and wide support from home and community which is important to keeping up their morale, often in very difficult conditions.

The families and close friends of those on operations can send parcels free of charge using the Enduring Families Free Mail Service. However, the postal system can get overloaded, especially around Christmas, if members of the public or well intentioned organisations send out further parcels. While extra parcels are without doubt popular with recipients, the delays they inevitably cause to the delivery of personal mail are less welcome. These extra parcels also place an additional strain on a support system which focuses on delivering the equipment and supplies which are vital to achieving operational success.

So, we continue to ask members of the public not to send individual parcels – instead, we ask people who wish to show their support to give to a new fund which has been created by the forces charity SSAFA at the request of the MOD. This fund is available to those deployed on operations overseas and it is intended that in theatre commanders can bid for those items which they deem will have the most significant impact in enhancing the morale of their personnel. You can donate to the SSAFA fund here: www.bmycharity.com/V2/welfarefund

There are other charities that also provide valued support to our Armed Forces. They can be found at the charity support us page.