Square Stockings bring Christmas Cheer to the Armed Forces

For the sixth year running, Forces’ charity Operation Christmas Box delivered thousands of Christmas Boxes to all those serving overseas or in hospital over the festive season. 22,500 boxes were sent to members of the Royal Navy, the Army and the Royal Air Force to ensure they had a present to open on Christmas Day, and to let them know that members of the public at home were thinking of them.

Boxes this year had been sent around the world wherever UKForces are serving, including Afghanistan,The Falkland Islands, Ascension Island, to ships and submarines on deployment and to hospitals in the UK where personnel were resting and recuperating.

Brigadier Alister Davis,Commander Joint Force Support in Afghanistan said: “The Operation Christmas Box initiative is always very well received by service personnel deployed away from home at Christmas. While operations continue, it’s good for the men and women to be able to take time out to enjoy a little Christmas cheer and be reminded of the support which is given to them by the UK public through this worthy initiative. A huge thanks from us all”.

One sailor who received the box said: ‘It was a Godsend with my own presents missing that Santa delivery to the ship, so I had something to open up. Many thanks, keep up the good work’