TREATS for Troops shoeboxes are a much needed lifeline, say soldiers on the front line in Afghanistan.

As the shoeboxes are arriving to named soldiers across Afghanistan, letters of thanks are piling in to the Echo.

The Echo’s Treats for Troops campaign, working alongside the Dorchester Comfort Box Appeal, have sent more than 200 boxes to soldiers, RAF personnel and sailors in September.

Soldiers from the Rifles were among those to receive shoe boxes, including a trio who sent a picture of themselves with their boxes.

Servicemen and women to send letters of thanks include Rifleman Joe Ciardini, medic Tricia Hill and Lt David Freeman.

Joe, Swanage, said: “I just wanted to take some time out of an extremely busy day to write to you and the people that do Treats for Troops.”

He added: “I want to thank the public for all their support to the British soldiers and want to ask you to keep up the good work.

“Thanks for your support.”

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

This week, letter writers – from school children and nursery schools to war veterans and pensioners – have been penning words to include in the parcels.

Collection boxes are placed around Dorchester and Weymouth. They will be collected finally on Friday, October 16.

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.