Soldiers’ charity gets support recruit

A PACKET of sweets or a tube of toothpaste might not mean much to most people but can brighten up the day of a soldier fighting overseas.

National charity Support Our Soldiers regularly sends care packages to people serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

As well as sundry items like toiletries, snacks and books or magazines, each box is sent with a handwritten note recognising the work being done by the soldiers.

Aby Wilson, of Petty Cottages in Fyvie, is the newly-appointed Aberdeenshire representative and is encouraging people to get involved.

“In Scotland, Falkirk was the furthest north that the charity was represented,” she said. “There isn’t the same awareness here as there is in other places – even though there are quite a lot of forces in the north-east.”

Ms Wilson, 30, got involved last year when her younger brother, Vinnie Forster, was deployed to Iraq for six months with the 45 Commando Royal Marines.

“My brother got boxes filled with sweets, a book or some socks. These are everyday things that people take for granted but when you don’t have access to them it can make such a difference.”

Next month her brother will leave for a seven-month tour of Afghanistan.

For information contact Ms Wilson on 07971 989375 or e-mail aby@supportoursoldiers.co.uk