Uk4u-Thanks!

uk4u-Thanks! is a UK charity which sends Christmas Boxes to all members of the UK's Armed Forces serving overseas or in hospital at Christmas.

In 2007 24,500 'Square Stockings' were sent to personnel all over the world, making use of spare capacity within the military supply chain. [http://www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=333247&NewsAreaID=2] The boxes contain 'a variety of items of everyday use'. [http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/EquipmentAndLogistics/ChristmasBoxCheerForArmedForcesAcrossTheWorld.htm]

The charity is notable both because it picks up on a history dating from 1914, when Princess Mary set up a 'Christmas Gift Fund' to send a 'gift from the nation' to everyone wearing the King's uniform and serving overseas on Christmas Day, and because its work is seen as indicative of more general public support for the work of the Armed Forces. [http://www.ledburyreporter.co.uk/news/ledburynewsroundup/display.var.1886278.0.dont_forget_our_troops_urges_major.php] [http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/features/article3274067.ece]

The charity uk4u-Thanks! was established in 2005: BAE Systems is a major sponsor, however many defence industry companies also sponsor the charity. [http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/uk4u-brings-xmas-cheer-to-british-forces-04500/]

External links

[http://www.uk4u.org/ uk4u-Thanks! official site]