THE Tavistock branch of the Royal Marines? Association is once again collecting ?goodies? to send to the troops in Afghanistan in time for Christmas. RMA members will be collecting the goods, with permission and support from the local shops, for the Christmas Box appeal, over the next two weeks. They will hand out leaflets listing the suitable items the troops require, including ?cuppa soups?, biscuits and baby wipes, and asking customers to place the donated items in the boxes provided. Once all the goods have been collected, the RMA will box up the items and send them to the Royal Marines, who are mainly from 40 Commando in Taunton and the Royal Marine crews on the Viking troop carriers. But boxes will also go to nurses and patients in the military hospital in Afghanistan. Dave McDowall, chairman of the Tavistock RMA, said: ?It shows them that people back home are thinking of them and it boosts their morale. We thank you in advance for your support.? The RMA will be assisted by the Tavistock Air Cadets during their collections in November.
