Minister Joins Star of Stage and Screen to Launch 'Square Stockings'

Bob Ainsworth, Armed Forces Minister, along with Jennifer Ellison, star of Brookside and Chicago, recently sent off the last Christmas Boxes, collected by the charity uk4u-Thanks! to all those serving overseas or in hospital at Christmas.

Mr Ainsworth and Jennifer were joined by personnel from the three Services at Regents Park Barracks to thank the charity and its sponsors for their efforts in bringing Christmas cheer to Service personnel and civilians.

This year, the charity and its sponsors, with help from the Ministry of Defence, sent 24,500 Christmas Boxes, affectionately known as 'Square Stockings', and filled with a range of items, to personnel all over the world. The boxes are transported to operational theatres by making use of spare capacity within the supply chains, meaning that all the boxes are out in time to reach Service personnel on Christmas Day.

Mr Ainsworth said: 'Christmas is a time to be spent with friends and family, and it is therefore hard for all those overseas and away from home.

'Every year we receive huge support from both the general public and corporate organisations and we are pleased to be able to work so closely with uk4u-Thanks! This scheme means so much to so many people, both those who give and those who receive, and we are grateful to everyone who continues to show that while some of our Armed Forces may not be at home, they are certainly not forgotten.

'I want to thank all the sponsors, and the staff of the Defence Equipment and Support organisation, who make this scheme possible.'

The Duke of Westminster, Patron of uk4u-Thanks! said: 'We all feel enormously proud of the work that our personnel carry out across the world, where they are often working in dangerous conditions far away from their loved ones.

'Our huge range of sponsors, which includes private companies and members of the public, through their generous donations, help us to put together a box of treats, handy items and things which aim to bring festive cheer to those away from home. It's never too late to donate, and I would encourage anyone who wants to show their support to get in touch.'

Jennifer Ellison, star of Brookside and Chicago, supported the launch and said: 'All those men and women serving abroad at Christmas need to know that we are thinking of them. Everyone loves to get presents at Christmas and this scheme, funded entirely through charitable contributions, is a wonderful way to let them know that those at home appreciate and support what they are doing.'

Web: http://www.uk4u.org