Kirklees Council staff dig deep to help soldiers in Afghanistan

Nov 27 2009 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

CHARITABLE council workers and shopkeepers are helping make Christmas special for troops in Afghanistan.

They have put together more than 100 gift boxes for soldiers serving on the frontline.

The effort was inspired by Kirklees Council employee Cath Walter, whose son Cpl James Cheesman began a six-month tour of Afghanistan this month.

The 26-year-old, from Almondbury, is serving with 3rd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment in Helmand Province.

Mrs Walter said: “My colleague Shelley Quinn spotted me going to the post office with a parcel for James and she decided she wanted to send one as well, from there it just snowballed.”

Workers from the council’s licensing and legal services departments in Civic Centre 3 have donated items for the troops, including puzzle books, travel games, sweets and coffee.

PC Lisa Hartley also recruited Huddersfield shopkeepers to the effort. Blackburns Outdoor Equipment in Moldgreen has donated thermals for the soldiers while Linda Whiteley of Castle View Guest House in Almondbury has given crisps and teacakes.

Mrs Walter said: “It’s been a phenomenal response. We thought we would get a dozen boxes but we’ve filled more than 100.”

Kirklees staff were joined by members of the Yorkshire Regiment, which has hundreds of troops in Afghanistan, to pack and label the boxes.

Mrs Walter said: “It will take about two weeks for the packages to get there. They’re all addressed to James and he will distribute them among his platoon of 62.”

Warrant Officer Class 2, Nick McConnell, was among the soldiers helping out at Civic Centre 3 yesterday.

He said: “I think it’s fantastic that Kirklees is showing its support for the Yorkshire soldiers. I’d like to thank everyone who’s contributed because it will make a big difference to the soldiers out there.”