|
Jennifer Ellison welcomed the generous gift saying:
"I think it's a fantastic idea for troops out there protecting us while we're all eating our Christmas dinner when it's the one time when you want to be at home with your family.
"It's great to be involved and I'm honoured to be here. My message to troops is: 'Have a lovely Christmas, stay safe and come back home well. Thank you so much for what you do and I really appreciate it'."
Asked what she would hope to get if she was lucky enough to open a square stocking this year, Jennifer replied in a flash:
"Ooh a day off'!"
It was clear that troops couldn't wait to peek inside the silver Christmas boxes, but nobody would be drawn on the contents, so as not to ruin the surprise. Instead Corporal Louise Watt gave a clue as to what the contents might contain:
"Last year, we received torches, Christmas hats, cards, sweets and stress-relief balls. It's nice to be thought of."
Last year, Sergeant Richard Hoffman was serving in Iraq when he received his unexpected gift. But what would he hope to find in his square stocking this year?
"A new wife!" he quipped adding, "no, if it was a woman, it would have to be Cybill Shepherd."
"Some more money," added Lance Corporal Andy Keen, REME.
Turning serious, Corporal Craig Johnstone emphasised how particularly young soldiers, serving miles from home, would appreciate them.
Armed Forces minister, Bob Ainsworth, praised the RAF for their efforts to deliver 24,500 presents to troops in theatre on time:
"It's not just appreciated by me, it's appreciated by people at the front line at the sharp end and it's got to be a real boost to morale. To receive something like this away from home in dangerous circumstances is a reminder that people back home who do care and are thinking about you."
Also on hand was chairman of UK4U Thanks!, the Duke of Westminster, who raised funds to provide the boxes as a special thank-you. He estimates the cost of gift giving to be £150,000 but said that the cost was worth every penny:
"Christmas is a very important time for all of us – and to be anywhere in the world away from your family is tough. Hopefully this will put a smile on everyone's face."
|
