Monday 30th June
Send A Smile Appeal
Sorry it's been a while since our last update - it's been a busy couple of weeks! The Send A Smile Appeal is now reaching it's close and whilst we're still waiting an absolutely final count, over 3,000 beanies have been received to date which is just brilliant. Hopefully Monika will be bringing back with her some photos which will of course be published here so everyone can see how much their hard work has been appreciated.
A lovely article appeared in the July issue of Bean Bag Monthly (thanks Daphne!) - we've already had some response from this which is great. If anyone is thinking of sending items in then please do so - despite officially drawing to a close we will always find a way of getting goods through!
We have received since our last update parcels from Sue Ollenshaw, Shelley, Sue Hoogwerf, two super anonymous donations, Anne Turner, Carol Scott, John at Langley's Toymaster in Norwich, more from Carol in Northern Ireland and more again from Jean Soans. I also collected this morning the delivery from Jennie, our co-ordinator in Fife, who has managed to collect a massive 450 items! That's my work cut out for the next couple of days!
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I know some of our area co-ordinators have been a little bit disappointed that they haven't been able to gather more, but really it's only with everyone's help that we have managed to achieve so much and I am extremely grateful for everything that has been done.
For the troops...
Firstly I'd like to pass our sincere condolences on to the family and friends of the six military policemen killed in Iraq last week. Our thoughts are with them at this very sad time, and indeed with those of the US troops killed in action over the last weeks. We have been contacted by Gretchen Helgeson, sister of Brian Matthew Kennedy, who has asked us to post a few words about her brother. Please take a moment to read through. Whilst it's obviously a very difficult subject and one which we have tried to treat with the utmost respect, if anyone would like to add pictures or words to the In Memoriam pages then please do get in touch.
We have received this week a fantastic donation of over 2,000 pc software titles, all brand new and boxed, from Mike at Primary Publishing. I'd like to say a massive thank you for these - they will help us tremendously with our campaign.
The parcel filling is once again back on schedule and lots of 'goodies' are on their way out to the Gulf. At the moment these are being funded by the sale of the greetings cards and software donations so kindly made. It seems that many companies believe there's no longer a need for supplies and our requests for donations of fillers are pretty much ignored, well we can assure them that there is a need and the many letters received from the troops are testimony to that. So please if anyone can help with parcel fillers in any way then do contact us.
Plans for the Support Our Troops calendar are now well under way. We're hoping that the calendar will be available from the 1st September and will retail out at £5 which is a pretty reasonable price for what will be the excellent content. Whilst we've accounted for our Army Hunks Of The Month, we're still needing models for the Navy and Airforce sections. So if you know anyone who might be up for this let us know! We're looking forward to the casting sessions!
All profits from the sale of the calendars (which we hope will be fairly significant) will go towards forces charities and again we welcome any suggestions on this.
Finally this week, we were delighted to finally meet with Agnes and Heather last weekend. We've been communicating daily by phone and email but to actually meet in person was lovely. The party held for Heather's 21st and Scott's Welcome Home was a huge success and we met lots of great people. Thanks girls, and Scott for welcoming us so warmly and, if Ayr can stand it, here's to the next time!
Until the next update,
Karen :)
Friday 20th June
Send A Smile Appeal
Once again we've received some fantastic donations towards the appeal bringing our grand total to date to 2760, yet another target reached!
Since our last update Jean Soans has collected a further 161 beanies, well done Jean!, we've picked up 362 (are there any beanies left in West Yorkshire!), Carol has sent over a lovely package from Northern Ireland and Jennie in Fife has over 200 there with more promised.
We received a full bags of toys from a lady who didn't leave her name but dropped them off at Crossflatts Primary School, Daphne Bowes posted a super parcel collected through her church, George, Lucy and Sarah sent stationery which they'd bought with their pocket money and another package has arrived from St John The Baptist church in Sheffield. Thank you one and all.
Unfortunately we weren't able to obtain the archive footage from the BBC News At Ten showing our beanies with the children on Tony Blair's visit to Iraq, we received a letter on behalf of the Director General saying they were unable to waive the £250 fee as this would set a precedent. Well, we tried!
The other important news on the Send A Smile appeal is that Monika, who distributes the goods to the children in Basra, has been given her coming date which is the 28th June. We haven't been able to organise a replacement and therefore could we please ask that any goods which you may have in hand be posted to us as soon as possible so that we can get them out to Monika before she leaves.
We appreciate it's short notice, but I think everyone can be extremely proud of what has been achieved in so short a time. We'll give the final update on the appeal next week.
And for the troops...
Once again we're hearing of further regiments being deployed to the Gulf and our 'parcel list' is back up to speed so we'll be making a concentrated effort with parcel fillers next week. Again if you know of anyone who would like a parcel or two please feel free to forward their details.
We've been asked to supply articles and pictures for both the Soldiers Magazine and Sixth Sense so Nicky (with his arm twisted behind his back!) and I attended a photo shoot last week! Hopefully the publicity will generate more interest for the site.
Nicky's now back at his base in Germany. We had a lovely two weeks with him at home and my stress levels have reduced significantly without the constant worry. Whilst we've said it before, we are always here for anyone with loved ones in the Gulf. We do understand what it's like and just sometimes to chat can do a world of good.
On a lighter note, one idea which we have been toying with is a Support Our Troops (Soldiers) calendar for next year, 12 hunky men representing each of the forces! Proceeds would go to one of the main forces charities. Any thoughts on this or suggestions for models would be welcomed!
Well think that's about it for now except finally to say it's Heather's 21st Birthday Party combined with Scott's Welcome Home Party in Ayr on Saturday so I'm taking a weekend off and heading for the West coast. It will be great to meet up with Agnes and Heather, we've become such good friends by email and phone and I'm sure you can expect some 'lively' photos next week!
Thanks once again to everyone for everything they've done.
Karen :)
Monday 9th June
Plenty to report as usual since our last update!
On the Send A Smile front it's certainly been hectic! One piece of exciting news was that Send A Smile beanies were featured on the BBC News At Ten last Thursday with none other than Tony Blair! This just proves that they are reaching their destination! Unfortunately we've not been able as yet to obtain the archive shot from the BBC but we're working on it!
At the weekend I received a massive delivery of stationery and over 100 beanies from Ellena in Mansfield. I would like once again to say thank you very much to Ellena, she's obviously worked really hard with the campaign and put tremendous thought into it.
 
Another fantastic batch of beanies came from Jean Soans, again over 100 in the bundle, and we've also received brilliant donations from Becky Peterson, St John The Baptist Church, Wales, Sheffield, Miss R Gorst, yet another parcel from Miss D Bashford and a box of 66 beanies from Yvonne and Keiron. Langleys collection point in Norwich have had 19 beanies donated so far, and a further 66 have come from Yorkshire Collectables in Skipton. Another big thank you one and all!
The grand total therefore up to today is 1601 and well over half of these have already been despatched for the children. And, just to prove that men do have their uses occasionally, here's my team helping to carry in some of the parcels wrapped and ready to leave for the Gulf!
As our target is well and truly reached, we've decided to extend it to 2,500 and the Smilometer has been changed accordingly - yet another challenge!
As mentioned once or twice last week! Nicky arrived home in the early hours of Saturday morning which was a great relief. He seems happy and well and for two weeks at least life will be pretty much back to normal. We had a lovely cake made for his homecoming (thanks Barry) and decorated the house and street with bunting and posters which was a great sight to see!
The Telegraph and Argus once again came along to take piccies, they've been brilliant in their support of both campaigns.
Well think that's about it for the moment. I'd just like to say 'good luck' to all the troops who are heading out for the Gulf this month, and for their families and friends, we're only a click away if you need a chat!
Karen
Tuesday 27th May
Send A Smile Appeal
Great news on the appeal this week with the total beanies received to date a massive 625 and loads of stationery as well!
Last week I mentioned that a gentleman had very kindly sent in a cash donation, well this is what we managed to buy: 4 packs of 12 ball point pens, 10 packs of coloured pencils, 5 packs of 10 pencils, 10 pencil sharpeners, 10 rubbers, 10 colouring books, 20 exercise books and 5 lots of star stickers! These will make a big difference to the children and once again I'd like to say thank you so much.
We've received further gifts of stationery, a full box of goodies from Mrs G Cowan, twelve beanies from Mrs V Drake of Bingley whose daughter has given them from her own collection, a second parcel of beanies and stationery from Miss D Bashford in Caernarfon and a lovely package of beanies and stationery from Karen Lester in Halesowen. Thank you all VERY much.
In addition we had a weekend off and went to a fun day at Hayes Cricket Club where we managed to pick up a further 12 beanies which were just sitting there waiting for us to arrive!
Crossflatts Primary School have taken up the Appeal and the children there are madly sorting out their unwanted beanies. We'll have further news on just how well they've done after the holidays. If you know any school or organization that would like to join in, please do get in touch. It's great particularly for the kids, they really seem to enjoy giving for a change and each of them gets a small certificate and a lolly for their efforts!
Not forgetting the troops ....
Last week I received emails from Gillian who's son is being posted out to the Gulf on the 12th June, and from Suzie in Catterick who's husband will also be posted out from June until next February! This just reinforces our intention to carry on with our campaign as long as we are needed.
Now apologies for being selfish but the FANTASTIC NEWS is that both Nicky, my son and Scott, Heather & Agnes's brother & son!, will be home by the end of the week!
Scott is actually returning to his base in York for a few days which is not so very far away from us so we're planning to all meet up and have a fantastic night out. Look out York!
That's just about the news for the moment. Hopefully we'll have lots more to report and some pictures of the beanies with the children in Iraq next week!
Monday 19th May
Hope this isn't too fuzzy as we drank several toasts yesterday to Nicky celebrating his 21st birthday in the Gulf! Thank you to everyone who sent kind messages, they really did help me through the day.
The Send A Smile parcels have been arriving thick and fast with every day bringing new surprises. We're just awaiting a count to date from SOS Scotland but should be close to the halfway mark which is absolutely fantastic in so short a time.
Since our last update we've received packages from Miss D Bashford, T Mackintosh, P Baggett, Mrs W Stephens and Frances Bashford aged 4. Amy & Robert Tulip from Bingley have donated some of their own beanies, Card Warehouse in Keighley have kindly given beanies and beanie boppers, and Jean Soans rounded up a grand total of 43 beanies and teenies at the local car boot sale!
Unfortunately it's not possible to write a personal thank you to everyone although I would love to do so as I appreciate the effort that has been made, particularly when parcels have to be packaged up. So once again, from everyone involved, thank you so much.
Thursday 15th May
 
What a great week it's been with parcels for the Send A Smile Appeal arriving daily! Our yellow ribbon box at Woodbank Nurseries in Bingley raised £12.50 to add to the Support Our Soldiers fund and more parcels have gone out to the lads and lassies still in the Gulf.
Monday saw a big box of beanies from EllyBeans, thanks very much Ellena, and a super article was published in the Bradford Telegraph & Argus.
On Tuesday came a box of Countin' Sheep - they are wonderful and I'm having real problems telling my children and the grown ups that no they can't just 'borrow' one!
We've had 3 area co-ordinators team up - Jennie will cover the Fife region, Lorna is in charge at Brize Norton! and Carol has agreed to do all she can in Northern Ireland - we still need to cover other areas so if you feel like a challenge please get in touch!
The first batch of beanies has now gone out to Monika in Basra so let's hope there'll soon be 140 smiling faces on the children in the schools and orphanages there.
We've received two anonymous parcels as well this week, and I'd just like to say thank you so much to the person who forwarded money to buy beanies on their behalf. Your gesture and message was very much appreciated.
Two personal bits of news, Nicky will celebrate his 21st birthday in the Gulf on the 18th May. I'd like to say 'Happy Birthday Nicky - we'll have the best party ever when you get home'. Which leads me into the next part - all being well he will be back in blighty on the 1st June which is just brilliant!
However, we're not giving up with any of our efforts of support and goodie parcels will continue to be sent as long as they're needed. If you do know anyone who could do with a treat please get in touch!
Wednesday 7th May
Send A Smile campaign featured on BBC Radio Guernsey! Thanks Jenny for all your kind help. We also had the local Telegraph & Argus in to take pics of the beanies collected so far for a feature due later this week. We've also written today to 163!! toy stores from a famous chain throughout the country to ask if they''ll become collection points for us. Fingers crossed on this one!
Tuesday 6th May
Send A Smile campaign featured on BBC Radio Jersey and Westsonund FM broadcasted the appeal throughout the day! We also received today a parcel from a little boy, Ethan, aged 2 who sent us some of his beanie toys and crayons with the message 'Mummy helped me sort out my toys for the other children who need them more' This really is wonderful and exactly what the campaign is all about. Thanks Ethan.
Friday 2nd May
A huge boost to the Send A Smile campaign came from Chubbley UK who sent us an enormous box of Chubbley Bears - thanks so much to all concerned
Wednesday 30th April
The first batch of beaniescollected by my daughters for the campaign. Well done girls, a great start!
Monday 28th April
SEND A SMILE CAMPAIGN LAUNCH
Check out the Send a Smile page for full details
Just to show we're not slacking, another batch of parcels is prepared by the team at Support Our Soldiers.
YELLOW RIBBONS APPEAR IN THE STRANGEST PLACES!
Haworth Road Fisheries have tied their yellow ribbon around their carton dispenser for all customers to see! If you've seen yellow ribbons in strange places please let us know.
Thursday 17th April
GIVE OUR TROOPS A TAX BREAK
We fully endorse this campaign launched by the Daily Mail on 11th April.
To find out further information and to give your support click on the following link:
FREE POSTAGE TO OPERATION TELEC STARTS TODAY
Click here for information
Tuesday 15th April
Many thanks to Pulse FM for featuring our site during their early morning news bulletins.
Monday 14th April
SUPPORT THE TROOPS MARCH
Agnes & Heather Hunter would like to say a big thank you to everyone who attended their Support The Troops march in Ayr on Sunday. Heather says 'It was a lovely afternoon. To all those who were there - thank you - and to all those who could not make it- we were thinking about you.'
NGVFA
The NGVFA was set up some 12 years ago to look after the Gulf War 1 veterans when they started to become ill.
We are the ONLY Charity that supports Gulf Veterans.
With a membership of over 4,500 we offer advice to all our members on matters relating to Welfare, Pensions and Medical Treatment.
WE have a full time office located in HULL. We have had contact from many relatives who have loved ones serving in the present Gulf War.
We welcome any relatives or serviceman and women who are now serving in GW2. Our 24Hr Helpline is 01 482 833812
Friday 10th April
FREE POSTAL SERVICE TO GULF STARTS NEXT THURSDAY
Press Notice no: 076/03
The free postal service to Armed Forces personnel serving in the Gulf will start next Thursday, 17 April, Armed Forces Minister Adam Ingram announced today.
He said:
"With the generous support of the Royal Mail Group, friends and families will be able to send letters and packets of up to 2kg in weight free of charge to BFPO addresses in the Gulf. This free service, for packets addressed to named individual service personnel, will be a welcome addition to the air mail "Blueys" and their e-mail equivalent, "e-Blueys" which are already sent free of charge."
"While we are sure that the troops will appreciate this support we would ask families not to overload the system, since we still need to get essential stores and equipment to the Gulf to support the Front Line. Packets will be delivered to the troops as soon as the operational situation allows. Delivery of letters, "Blueys" and "e-Blueys", which are the primary method of communication, will have priority."
The free service is aimed at helping those families who regularly send mail to their relatives taking part in the operation to liberate Iraq. It is not a general service for welfare parcels where there is no named recipient.
Mr Ingram added:
"We understand that many people want to support the Armed Forces, and would invite people to make use of the British Forces Bulletin Board to leave goodwill messages, or contribute to the UK Forces Gulf Fund, which has been set up to offer additional support to those injured as a result of the conflict and the families and dependants of those who have lost their lives."
www.news.mod.uk
Thursday 10th April
The Forres Gallery have been collecting funds locally to send parcels to service personell in Basra. The parcels contain toiletries, boiled sweets, "HP SAUCE!!", chewing gum, OXO cubes and other little bits and pieces that they clearly can't get where they are. In the scheme of things, the amount we have to send is fairly small but if someone somewhere gets just a little something, it might just lift the occassional spirit.
Wednesday 9th April
BFPO Charges For Parcels To Op Telic
Many thanks for making contact and letting me know about the website and this initiative certainly has my full support and I will post a message of support shortly. I have made further enquiries about the free post situation and a statement will be announced in the House this afternoon. However, the mechanics of the system have still not been finalised (which is extremely disappointing) and I will be using my influence on my Ministerial colleagues to get this issue sorted out as soon as possible.
I will keep you informed of progress.
Chris Leslie MP
Tuesday 8th April
BFPO Charges For Parcels To Op Telic
For some time www.gulffamiliesupportgroup.co.uk have been campaigning for free postage on parcels to Op Telic. Full information is given on their site but Tony Blair has now agreed that this will happen - the big question is WHEN.
Our local mp Chris Leslie assures us that they will keep pushing and will inform us as soon as there are any further developments.
We have received many emails regarding this issue and Jeremy Lager has requested that we set up an email directory so that AS SOON AS the free postage comes into force we can let everyone know. If you would like your email to be added to the list please forward it to us at: info@supportoursoldiers.co.uk
Local Co-Ordinators
We have received an overwhelmingly response to our website and campaign. In order to keep things totally up to date however and to promote future projects, we are looking for local co-ordinators to lend a hand. If you are in the West Yorkshire area and would like to help, please get in touch.
Support Our Troops March
Agnes & Heather from gulffamilies support group have a support our troops march in Ayr on Sunday 13th April at 1.30pm and are inviting everyone to attend. Again full details are available on their website. Unfortunately due to prior commitment we won't be able to attend but we wish them a successful day.
If anyone knows of any other relevant events please let us know.
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