LETTERS of sincere thanks have been received by members of the Tavistock Royal Marines' Association, for their support to commandos in Afghanistan.
In November 2008 the Tavistock branch sent a total of 608 boxes to troops in Afghanistan, after holding collections at local supermarkets.
Tavistock RMA praised people from the Tavistock and Yelverton areas for donating gifts of goodies and essentials, including toothpaste, shower gel, soups and noodles.
Member of Tavistock RMA, Yorkie Malone, who was the main organiser of the branches' 'Gifts for Troops in Afghanistan' campaign, said: 'We are so grateful to the people of Tavistock and Yelverton for generously donated gifts for the troops in Afghanistan.
'We just want to say an absolutely super duper thanks to everyone, and from all the lads in Afghanistan, well done!
'The parcels didn't just go to marines, they went to everybody out there.'
One marine said in a letter to the RMA: 'Thanks to everyone involved, a good morale boost, especially the wind-up torch as my batteries have run out in my headtorch and cannot find replacements — awesome bit of kit!'
Another marine said: 'Thank you all so much for your parcels, I got the first today. In fact it's my first parcel I've had and my morale has soared as a consequence.'
A medical assistant in Afghanistan, who also received a parcel, said: 'First of all I would like to say thank you very much for my box. I was over the moon to have received a box from the Royal Marines' Association.
'Thank you again for your support and prayers — we are all very grateful.'
The regimental sergeant major of the Commando Logistic Regiment at Chivenor, Bruce Riach, said: 'There is a palpable difference between this deployment and all previous ones.
'Every single one of us is able to embrace the huge amount of support we are receiving from the UK.
'We see it in the media and have just had it amply demonstrated with the mountain of Christmas parcels we have received. Once again a huge thank you.'