Debbie pulls the shoe box strings

AN emotional speech by a mum whose son has served in Iraq, lead to a £200 cash windfall for much-needed gifts for soldiers in war-torn Afghanistan.

Debbie Hardie, landlady of the Granby Hotel in Uppermill, is spearheading a “shoe box soldier” campaign which provides members of the forces with goodies.

And she outlined her efforts to Saddleworth Rotary Club who were meeting at their headquarters in the White Hart at Lydgate.

Many of the club members were former servicemen and she received a warm reception and was praised for her efforts. Debbie, whose guardsman son Barrie was in Iraq, said: “I had never spoken in public before about the campaign.

“The Rotary members were tremendously supportive and I just simply outlined how important the smallest gift are to the boys and girls serving in foreign fields.

“I get scores of thank-you letters from the troops. All the gifts — particularly toiletries — are really gratefully received.”

Rotary club president Malcolm Hill, who served his National Service in the RAF, said: “Debbie is a remarkable lady.

“Her speech really touched the hearts of our members, particularly as many had been in the forces themselves.

“Time was of the essence if she was to make this month’s deadline for Christmas parcels being delivered to the troops — so we had no hesitation in gifting her £200 on the spot.

“Her efforts really show the parcels form a strong link to the troops and to people back home. She is to be congratulated.”

In a vote of thanks, Ian Scholes, a former club president, said: “No one could have failed to have been touched by her devotion to raising awareness in the community and then turning it into practical help for our troops.

“Debbie’s solo efforts make us all feel humble.”

The meeting was attended by Rotarians’ wives and many of them have contributed goodies to the parcels.

Debbie added: “The deadline for the forces to receive parcels in time for Christmas has closed — but I managed to send more than 500 this Yuletide.

“I’d like to thank everyone in the community for their unstinting support.”