Thieves steal goods donated for soldiers
CARE boxes destined for British troops currently fighting in Afghanistan have been stolen in Wigan.
Thieves snatched 22 shoe boxes and four large cardboard boxes which had been packed with goodies and home comforts including sweets, toiletries and stationery during a burglary last weekend.
Altogether the parcels contained around 250 worth of goods which had been donated by generous Wiganers to the independent charity SOS (Support Our Soldiers).
Carol King, the charity's Wigan Area Co-ordinator and mum of a serving soldier, said: "Whoever has done this is, they really are evil.
"I cannot believe someone would do this."
Although the boxes were not marked, each contains a note headed with the SOS logo and carrying the message: 'Hope this parcel finds you in good health and spirit. We are all thinking of you back home and looking forward to your safe return.'
Carol said: "They must have opened one and looked inside."
Power tools, a jet washer and a socket set were also stolen from a garage in Silverdale Road, Kitt Green, where the boxes were being stored.
The packages were due to be sent to Afghanistan later this week and Carol, 55, of Kitt Green, is now appealing for them to be returned.
Having heard from her 32-year-old son Dan just how difficult conditions can be for soldiers - he served in Afghanistan last year - she is determined that the parcels reach their intended recipients.
She added: "We had a hold on the boxes because of Operation Panthers Claw.
"We were told that we wouldn't be able to send as many boxes as usual for a while because the helicopters were being used for different things.
"It meant that we had more parcels than we would usually have - it couldn't have happened at a worse time."
Wigan Police are investigating the incident.
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Weather for Wigan
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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