SOLDIERS serving in war-torn countries this Christmas can expect 112 special packages after months of donations for the shoebox appeal.

The boxes are now on their way to Iraq and Afghanistan as part of the Echo-backed campaign to send morale-boosting Christmas parcels to the two battalions from the Rifles regiment.

The Dorset campaign was launched in July by councillor and mother Molly Rennie to increase support for the national Support Our Soldiers parcel appeal.

Councillor Rennie ran the campaign along with her husband John, with support from Dorchester Town Council.

Their son Alexander, 35, has served abroad with the Rifles regiment in countries including Iraq.

Coun Rennie said this was a chance for people in Dorset to show how much they support the soldiers abroad.

So far this year, 255 boxes have been donated crammed with gifts, games, Christmas cards and toiletries.

Coun Rennie said: “The support has been absolutely outstanding and has just blown me away.

“I have received dozens of letters from soldiers thanking everyone for sending the boxes over.

“I received a phone call from a soldier in Afghanistan saying that everything stops when the mail comes in and the soldiers are really pleased to find out what’s there.”

Coun Rennie said that the most popular items that have been put in the boxes were jars of Marmite, sweets, Christmas presents, stocking fillers and letters.

She said that she has received a letter from an Army hospital asking for more boxer shorts and, surprisingly, make-up after it was sent out in a box last time and has become much sought-after ever since.

The boxes should arrive at the bases in Afghanistan and Iraq in December and will then be stored until Christmas day so the soldiers will receive a present each.

Coun Rennie said it was possible to identify where Dorset soldiers were serving in the two war-torn countries so each box is individually named with their own personal letters or cards.

The shoebox campaign will continue for the next nine months although the last Christmas shipment has gone out.

Boxes can be donated to Dorchester Town Council in North Square, Dorchester or the Keep Military Museum, Bridport Road, Dorchester.

You can also take them to any Dorset Echo office and we will forward them to Coun Rennie.

The offices are on the Granby Estate, Weymouth, Antelope Walk, Dorchester and East Street, Bridport.