Bolton Arms Send Christmas Presents for
soldiers in Afghanistan

Tony Tuck writes:

Customers and staff of the Bolton have contributed 121 shoe box sized parcels, all approved gifts by MOD, which were collected by the army in a large truck on the evening of the 27th November.

The presents have taken over the whole bar area of the pub and were donated by regulars, landlord and staff.  Regular customers have paid for personalised Christmas cards (see sample) and one of these will be included in each box.  The intent is for our service personal to have a little something extra this Christmas - all courtesy of an Old Basing, pub.

The organizers were Maria and Gerry Murphy and Duncan Kerr the landlord of the Bolton.

All presents were approved by MOD are in 'open boxes' for security checks by the army - before being shipped to an RAF base on route to Afghanistan. 

Special thanks for the landlord Duncan & landlady Mikki of the Bolton Arms allowing their pub to be used as a collection point for SOS (Support Our Soldiers).  Secondly, Brantano in Chineham for supplying the shoe boxes, T. Mobile - Hatfield and Winterthur Life Basingstoke plus Rural Payments Agency, Reading and North Alerton who alone contributed some 46 Shoeboxes.

It is good to think that all those that have helped in the project have enabled some of our troops in Afghanistan, if only for a short period of time, to smile, laugh and enjoy a taste of Christmas.

The Bolton Arms landlady fourth from the left Mikki Kerr, Gerry Murphy the organizer 7th from left, Maria Murphy organizer 9th from left and landlord of the Bolton Arms Duncan Kerr 10th from left and some of his regular customers.  Click on the picture for a larger view.