Debbie’s festive fillip for troops

YULE BE IN OUR THOUGHTS . . . Debbie is hoping her shoebox scheme will lift the morale of Britain’s armed forces in troubled times

Our boys in Afghanistan to receive a taste of home comforts
SADDLEWORTH’S “Mother Christmas” is urging the public to give British troops in Afghanistan an extra-special Yuletide.

Pub landlady Debbie Hardie launched her Shoebox Soldiers Campaign three years ago to provide men and women in the armed forces with a regular supply of home comforts.

And, with the sudden upsurge in the number of soldiers being killed and injured in the war-torn country, Debbie has stressed the importance of keeping morale high.

Debbie, whose guardsman son Barry served in Iraq and Bosnia, hopes to have sent more than 2,000 goodie-filled shoeboxes by Christmas.

Landlady of Uppermill’s Granby Arms, Debbie said: “People have been hugely generous in their support, but we need more simple things to ensure troops know we are thinking of them.

“I would welcome small packs of Christmas cards to send to them, so in turn, they could send them to their loved ones back in the UK with personal messages.

“I’d also like tinsel and other Christmas decorations to brighten up their camps with some very-deserved Christmas cheer.”

Debbie praised kind-hearted organisations, including children at St Chad’s School and parishioners from the Saddleworth Parish and other churches, along with St Peter’s Day Centre Aged Concern in Ashton, and women at Uppermill Museum.

“They are all truly marvellous people,” said the blonde-haired mother-of-three.

“There are loads of individuals who just turn up with gifts for the troops at the pub without ever leaving their names.”

One generous Shaw man, who provides Debbie with bags of beanie hats and other goodies, said: “We are not heroes – the troops are. They just need to know they travel in our hearts.”

The shoe boxes can include shower gel, deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste, sweets, magazines and letters. However, chocolate or aerosol containers are not advised.

Debbie (42), added: “Pub locals and neighbours have been fantastic, too - just keep the parcels coming.”

Debbie has set herself a deadline of Tuesday, December 8, to ensure shoeboxes reach the troops before Christmas.

Recently she raised more than £1,700 for the Heroes campaign by staging a tapas night at the pub.

Gifts for the Shoebox Soldiers Campaign can be taken to The Granby Arms, High Street, Uppermill. Alternatively, call 01457 873028.