CARING youngsters have today joined the campaign to help provide troops in Afghanistan with some of life's necessities and little luxuries.The children at the Kingsfleet Craft Club at Kingsfleet Primary School in Ferry Road, Old Felixstowe, filled shoeboxes with items for the soldiers fighting the Taliban.

CARING youngsters have today joined the campaign to help provide troops in Afghanistan with some of life's necessities and little luxuries.

The children at the Kingsfleet Craft Club at Kingsfleet Primary School in Ferry Road, Old Felixstowe, filled shoeboxes with items for the soldiers fighting the Taliban.

Penny Parker, one of the organisers of the after-school club, said the children had really enjoyed helping.

She said: “They wanted to help the soldiers and filling shoeboxes was a great way for them to get involved.”

The boxes are being given to Ron and Liz Cartwright, whose son Matt, 33, has just been sent out to Afghanistan with the Coldstream Guards, as part of their campaign to send every soldier in the guards a shoebox.

The couple have been overwhelmed with the fantastic response from people in Suffolk.

“So far we have sent out 174 and we have probably another 30 here in a pile waiting to be checked or sorted or filled,” said Mr Cartwright, 68, of High Road West, Felixstowe.

“My wife Liz is out every day picking up new ones from people, who have been so generous with their help.”

They have been taking the boxes down to the Victoria Barracks at Windsor, where the army has helped them label the boxes and arrange for them to be sent out to Afghanistan.

In a surprise presentation, the regiment commander presented Mr and Mrs Cartwright with thank you gifts of a pill box and an engraved watch.

“We really didn't expect that but it was a lovely gesture. We just want to help the soldiers because we know it is a strange and hostile place they are in and there are so many things they are having to do without,” said Mr Cartwright.

“The appeal has been a raging success - the response has been phenomenal and the phone hardly stops ringing.

“We just want to thank everyone for their support.”

They are aiming to send 450 shoeboxes to ensure every member of the regiment receives one.

Mr and Mrs Cartwright are hoping people all over the county will contribute shoeboxes to the appeal. People should contact them on 01394 211438 or e-mail brightstar63@ntlworld.com and collection can be arranged.

If you want to send your messages of support to our troops, visit www.eveningstar.co.uk/blueys

FASTFACTS: What the shoeboxes could contain

sewing kits

rehydration salts for diarrhoea and sickness

paperback books

wet wipes because of lack of running water and no toilets

paracetomol and painkillers

toothbrushes and toothpaste

notebooks, pens and pencils

chocolates and sweets

cup a soups, noodles, drink sachets

energy tablet and cold treatments