Many people are wearing the red poppy and will attend Remembrance Day events this weekend.
Popular support for our soldiers has naturally grown in recent years following interventions in different parts of the world.
I think this is an important part of the Military Covenant. This basically says that Government should respect the fact that soldiers cannot strike and should do the right thing by them in pay and conditions.
The other part of it is that the public respects and supports them as a national institution above party politics.
This won't be over when Poppy Day finishes. I am very pleased, therefore, to have linked up with the charitable Support our Soldiers Christmas Parcel Appeal, which is backed by the MOD.
Since 2003 the SOS Appeal has sent 90,000 Christmas parcels to those serving in Afghanistan, Iraq and other overseas operations.
The appeal does, as they say, exactly what it says on the box and I hope that they will be able to send many this year with your support.
The parcels represent the support and good wishes of the British public and show our brave soldiers that we are thinking about them.
The organisation relies on public donations so they can put together their standard parcel which costs just £5 and is filled with seasonal goodies.
You can donate £5 for a single parcel, or multiples thereof, with a card or message of goodwill. Cheques or postal orders made payable to "Support Our Soldiers" should be sent to SOS Christmas Parcel Appeal PO Box 443 Gosforth Newcastle-upon-Tyne, NE3 9DA. You can also donate via www.supportoursoldiers.co.uk
Or you could make up your own parcel but you need to register with SOS. To make up your own parcel use a sturdy shoebox but the whole parcel should not weigh more than 2kgs or just over 4 lbs.
Every parcel is checked before sending out so please leave unsealed. They are keen on small seasonal goodies, savouries, sweets, biscuits, toiletries and puzzle books and the like. But no aerosols, alcohol, top shelf magazines, lighters, matches, party poppers or crackers. For full details contact Mark at newcastle@supportoursoldiers.co.uk
All donations, parcels or parcel fillers must be received by Friday 25th November. My office is happy to receive parcels but by same deadline.
Newcastle Chronicle and Journal
| Promoted by Paul Foy on behalf of Dave Anderson, both of St Cuthbert's Church Hall, Shibdon Road, Blaydon, NE21 5PT |