Urged to drop off donations for troops
People wanting to donate items to troops in Afghanistan can do so at a stall in Newark Market Place tomorrow.
Pupils from the Magnus Church of England School, who last week launched a shoebox appeal, will receive donations outside Starbucks. There will also be a tombola.
The donated items, such as treats and toiletries, will be used to fill shoeboxes that will be sent via the Grenadier Guards to troops in Afghani-stan, and at Selly Oak Hospital, Birmingham, and Headley Court Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Surrey.
Donations can also be taken to Biltons Blooms, Baldertongate.
Magnus pupils wanted to show their support for troops after meeting Lance Sergeant Nathan Cumberland (25) of the Grenadier Guards, who lost both legs in an explosion in Afghanistan in October. He started rehabilitation at Headley Court this week.
Pupils and citizenship tea-cher Miss Sarah Sturgeon and assistant head Tracey Butterfield, handed out leaflets about the appeal to shoppers on Saturday.
Lance Sergeant Cumberland and his fiancée, Miss Rachael Cryer (24) of Long Bennington, visited the stall, with his father, Mr Steve Cumberland, and step-mother, Mrs Tracy Cumberland, of Wolsey Road, Newark, and Miss Cryer’s parents, Mr and Mrs David Webster, of Stubton.
Several market traders and businesses donated items.
A collection for the Newark Patriotic Fund, which helps wounded Servicemen from the Newark area and their families, raised £177.
Lance Sergeant Cumberland is among soldiers who have benefited through the charity, set up by the MP for Newark, Mr Patrick Mercer, and ex-Grenadier Guardsman and county councillor Mr Keith Girling, who were at the stall on Saturday.
The sale of Support The Grenadier Guards In Afghanistan wristbands and donations raised about £420.
Lance Sergeant Cumberland is also asking people to support the British Limbless Ex Servicemen’s Association by making donations through its website.
Newark and Sherwood District Council provided the stall free of charge.
The parking and markets manager, Mr Craig Black, said: “When we heard that the stall was to be used for such a good cause, we were only too pleased to make the small gesture of offering the stall free.”