BROWNIES have been doing their bit to help raise the morale of troops fighting in Afghanistan.

Girls from the Second Preston pack, near Weymouth, spent one of their evening meetings loading up shoeboxes with a thoughtful range of goodies for the soldiers far from home.

Mini-packets of cereal, fruit in jelly, lip salve, tissues, puzzle books, cereal bars and soap were just some of the edible and practical gifts being sent overseas.

The girls, aged between seven and 10, also wrote cheery illustrated letters to accompany their gifts.

Brownie Eleanor James said: “I think it is really important that we send these boxes out because they will cheer up the soldiers and remind them that people at home are thinking about them.”

There is still time to get involved with the Treats for Troops campaign before the next send-out at the end of October.

Collection boxes placed around Dorchester and Weymouth to donate your goodies for the shoeboxes will be collected finally on Friday, October 16.

After this date the Dorchester Comfort Appeal will carry on the campaign and boxes can still be donated in the Echo offices.

> *Do you know anyone who is serving in Afghanistan or Iraq and would like a shoebox? If so contact Miriam Phillips on 01305 830985 or send an email to miriam.phillips@dorsetecho.co.uk

How you can help

What to put in: Biscuits, wet wipes, fruity chewy sweets, small bottles of ketchup or barbecue sauce, tabasco sauce, Lucozade sachets, puzzle and crossword books, make-up products, chewing gum and mints, letters, travel games, packs of playing cards, pots of long life fruit in jelly, lip salve, coffee and cappuccino sachets, moisturising lotion, magazines, custard and rice pudding, long-life food, small packets of dried fruit, dried nuts, American hard gums, Calypso juices, variety cereal packs, foot gel or powder.

What not to put in: Chocolate, aerosols, alcohol, cans, perfumed soap, anything that is likely to melt, heavy items or batteries.

Please remember, that there is a weight restriction on the boxes of two kilos,

Collection bin locations

Weymouth: Dorset Echo headquarters, Granby Industrial Estate; Superdrug, New Bond Street; Asda, Newstead Road, Morrisons, Dorchester Road; WH Smith, St Mary Street; Boots, St. Mary Street; Value House, Wyke Regis; Wilkinsons, Westham Road; Rieker Shoes, St Thomas Street; Littlemoor Hardware; Tesco Express.

Dorchester: Dorset Echo, Antelope Walk; Dorset County Council, Collition Park; Superdrug, South Street; Wellworths, South Street; Tesco, Weymouth Avenue; WH Smiths, South Street; SCATS Countrystore; Mousetrap.

Bridport: Bridport News office, East Street.

Portland: Codfathers Fish & Chips; Hairstudio; George Inn.