SANTA Claus will swap his red suit and sleigh for a camouflaged smock and a military jet when he returns to Iraq with a sackful of goodies this week.

In November, Christchurch school teacher Brett Bader, 31, who is currently serving as a Territorial Army officer in Basra, launched a Christmas appeal for Echo readers to help him improve life for youngsters in the war-torn country.

Lt Bader, who was posted to Iraq in October and assigned to the Duke of Wellington's battle group to work on civil and military co-operation, revealed how he was inundated with gifts of sports equipment, including bats, balls and nets from Bournemouth Table Tennis Club.

But when he came home on leave in January he discovered dozens more sacks of goodies waiting for him, including stationery, pens, pencils, paper, toys and more than 50 footballs, which he will now distribute among schools, hospitals and children's homes when he flies back to Iraq.

"It shows incredible generosity that people would give so much to help other people who live on the other side of the world," the officer with the Devonshire and Dorset Rifle Volunteers said.

"These kinds of things can really make a difference and help with security overall.

He added: "By helping support community projects, the perception towards you on the ground completely changes."

Lt Bader said he will attempt to cram all the gifts into two enormous boxes, which he will transport to Iraq in his baggage.

"I am really looking forward to taking all these things back to Iraq with me," he said.

"Hopefully we can try and make a difference to the children out there."

Lt Bader can be contacted by writing to Lt Bader 560540, 1DWR CIMIC G9, Shatt Al Arab, BFPO 647.

First published: February 7