(MOD) Famous Rolls Royce from the Second World War rides again for forces charity

They joined sponsors of the charity Vestey Foods and Purple Food Services, who took a ride in Field Marshal Montgomery's World War Two Rolls Royce, a staff car that was deployed to the Front Line during the conflict, and met Service personnel who will benefit from the Christmas Boxes this year.

Sponsors play a vital role in helping the charity send out 24,500 boxes full of presents to all Armed Forces personnel serving abroad over Christmas, and the charity is seeking additional support for 2009.

At the event were Corporals Kevin Alderson and Nicola Bissiker who serve with 160 Provost Company, 4th Regiment Royal Military Police, a unit due to deploy on Operation Herrick in Afghanistan in October, and so will be away over Christmas in 2009.

Corporal Alderson from Aldershot, Hampshire said:

"Being away from family and friends over the Christmas period is always difficult so getting these square stockings will be a real boost to morale. It's nice to know that people are already donating money so that we can have an extra treat this year".

Corporal Bissiker from Birmingham said:

"The contents of the boxes are useful when you're on tour and even the box itself is really handy as a storage box. I'd definitely be pleased to receive one on Christmas Day".

The event was also attended by uk4u Thanks! Trustee Sally Little, who said:

"The contents of the box are a mixture of useful and fun items. We also include cards for giving feedback and we've had a wonderful response from people saying how much they appreciate that people in the UK are thinking of them. It's the thought that counts more than anything else, which is why we're determined to make this year a great success".

Brigadier David Martin of Defence Equipment Support is also a trustee of the charity, and deals with the logistical challenge of ensuring that all Service Personnel serving overseas at Christmas receive their Christmas box. He said:

"The boxes go all around the world. The focus of our efforts is of course on Iraq and Afghanistan but they also go to the more inaccessible places so that every soldier, airman, sailor and even submariner serving at Christmas receives one. Every Christmas Day we have approximately 24,500 serving personnel on duty."

Members of the public can start donating to this year's campaign by visiting the uk4u Thanks! website, http://www.uk4u.org.