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Gifts show support for soldiers




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A school has launched an appeal to send shoeboxes full of treats to serving troops.

Pupils at the Magnus Church of England School, Newark, wanted to show their support after meeting Lance Sergeant Nathan Cumberland (25) of Long Bennington, who lost both his legs in an explosion in Afghanistan in October.

Pupils sent cards, letters and poems to Lance Sergeant Cumberland, of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, when he was in Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham.

He returned home two weeks ago, and on Tuesday is due to start rehabilitation at Headley Court Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Surrey.

The school council wanted to do something practical to help soldiers and came up with a shoebox appeal.

It is being led by citizenship teacher Miss Sarah Sturgeon and assistant head Miss Tracey Butterfield.

Miss Sturgeon said the appeal was on-going and not just for Christmas. She encouraged people to donate individual items rather than fill a shoebox.

The boxes will be distributed though the Grenadier Guards to troops in Afghanistan, Selly Oak Hospital, and Headley Court.

The chairman of the school council, Andrew Smith (14) said: “We wanted to do something for the people out in Afghanistan because they are fighting for our country.”

Lance Sergeant Cumberland said: “You can be on ration packs for three or four weeks at a time. You get sick of beans and sausages, so to receive a box from a stranger raises your spirits.”

He said troops shared the contents of boxes among colleagues.

Lance Sergeant Cumberland is due to marry Miss Rachael Cryer (24) in October next year. Her mother, Mrs Julie Webster (51) of Stubton, said donated items would be greatly appreciated at Selly Oak.

She said: “When the family arrives at Selly Oak donated items such as toiletries mean you don’t have to worry about anything other than the person you are visiting.”

Messages of support can be included along with items such as sachets of shower gel and shampoo, sweets, puzzle books, playing cards, hot drinks sachets, dried noodles, toothbrushes, toothpaste, chewing gum, disposable razors, lip salve, and small variety boxes of cereal. Each shoebox must weigh less than 2kg.

Anyone who wants to donate items can leave them at the Magnus School reception.

The school will also be selling Support the Grenadier Guards In Afghanistan wristbands for £2.

Lance Sergeant Cumberland is asking people to support the British Limbless Ex-Service Men’s Association by making donations through its website.



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