Cheshire East's Mayor, Gordon Baxendale, is lending his support to a campaign that encourages local people to send jiffy bags of much needed items to Macclesfield troops serving abroad in Afghanistan.

The campaign collects jiffy bags of essential and luxury items from local people and businesses and then ships them out to frontline soldiers of The 1st Battalion Mercian Regiment of Cheshire, which is currently deployed on a six month tour of duty in Helmand Province, Afghanistan.

The Mayor commented: “The Cheshires are putting their lives on the line for their county and comrades in a very stressful and physically demanding environment. It is really important that we let them know they have the backing of the public back home. And this Jiffy bags scheme is a fantastic way to show support and bring the frontline troops some much-appreciated creature comforts."

The campaign is now calling on local people to get involved and supply our local troops with some much need comforts to remind them of home such as magazines, food and toiletries. Popular items to send include:

● Book/magazine/puzzle book
● Lucozade tablets
● Pens/pencils
● Toothpaste/toothbrush
● Shampoo
● Roll-on deodorant
● Vaseline
● Soap/wet wipes
● Disposable razors
● Tampons/sanitary towels and tissues (for women’s bags)
● Playing cards
● Sachet of drinking chocolate
● Super noodles
● Cuppa soups
● Packets of mints or chewing gum
● Boiled or jelly sweets
● Salted peanuts
● Small ring-pull tins of food (eg. tuna, fruit)
● Powdered milk

Captain John Elms, welfare officer for 1 Battalion Mercian Regiment (Cheshire), said: “It is hugely important to get the support of the people of East Cheshire behind our soldiers – and they really appreciate it. Receiving a parcel after a hard day’s patrol means so much to the men and women serving in Helmand – as does knowing that they are remembered and not forgotten."

 
To show your support, please hand your jiffy bags to the central collection point at Congleton Pentecostal Church, in Cross Street, Congleton, to be sent on to Marne Barracks, Catterick – the home base of 1 Mercian. From there they will be taken to the frontline troops in Afghanistan.

The Jiffy bags can weigh up to 2kg and must NOT be sealed. They can include a card from the donor with a return address so that the soldier can write back with their heartfelt thanks.