Trainees box up goodwill

ALL present and correct... (from the left) Faisal Mahmood, Sergeant Brett Faulkner and Katie Sexton

A GROUP of teenagers has proved a force for good after helping out our soldiers in Afghanistan.

The trainees at Oldham charity Rathbone have made a major contribution to a shoe box campaign which dispatches everything from sweets to toiletries to the troops — in a push to remind those on the front line that folks at home are right behind them.

And for one of the students it’s a real family affair as Limeside’s Katie Sexton (16) has a sister, Deborah, currently serving with the Royal Logistics Corps as they repair flood damage in Cumbria.

Katie said: “I saw how hard Deborah trained and you wouldn’t catch me running through puddles of mud to get fit! We’ve gone over the top with our effort and I hope the soldiers appreciate their presents as much as we appreciate them.”

Former Kaskenmoor pupil Katie wants to care full-time for disabled children and is currently on the Entry to Employment programme.

Would-be classroom assistant Faisal Mahmood (19), from Coppice, is another gaining skills and brushing-up his numeracy and literacy at Rathbone and joined Katie to salute the Army — by sending a dozen boxes of gifts.

Rathbone Oldham and the Army have been brothers in arms for over two years as they battle to help youngsters find work.

Brett Faulkner, recruiting sergeant for the Oldham Army Careers Service, said: “Together we are dispelling myths about the armed forces. Being a soldier is not just about being on the front line, there are over 140 jobs from engineering to IT and communications. Soldiers can even take the opportunity to continue with their education.”

Local people — including an elderly woman who visited the Rathbone centre on Union Street recently — have added their contributions to the shoe box effort.

Rathbone Oldham offers a range of courses for unemployed youngsters designed to get them back into education or work.

To find out more, visit www.rathboneuk.org , call 0161- 620 6767 or e-mail Oldham@rathboneuk.org