IN the heart of the desert, thousands of miles from the arms of their loved ones, Suffolk's military men and women are doing their bit.The heat is intense, the dust unrelenting and the prospect of sleep is minimal.

By Debbie Watson

IN the heart of the desert, thousands of miles from the arms of their loved ones, Suffolk's military men and women are doing their bit.

The heat is intense, the dust unrelenting and the prospect of sleep is minimal.

Not a day passes without news of more casualties – be it those in their own coalition or those innocent Iraqi children, wives and mothers who live a life of fear as the conflict mounts.

Each day our troops find themselves in the midst of sandstorms, downpours or even in the line of fire.

What they need more than anything is a token from home, a symbol of support from Britain.

And that is exactly where a simple gesture from you could help so much.

Today, The Evening Star is launching a crucial venture to bring welfare packages into the hands of our military personnel.

Together with the families of troops and Asda in Norwich Road, Ipswich, the Star is appealing for you to donate goods such as food and toiletries which will provide such a lift to those on the front line.

"Letters and parcels really are like gold when you're away," said former Navy steward Bridgette Halsey. Like thousands of Suffolk families, she waits anxiously each and every day for news of her husband Neil, a stoker on HMS Liverpool.

* FIND OUT how YOU can help in your Evening Star tonight.