SOS! Help ... it’s arriving by the bagful!

Aug 1 2008 by Michael Pringle

THE SOS campaign has got it all wrapped up.

The new Support our Soldiers initiative got off to a flyer with several Ayrshire businesses coming on board.

Agnes Hunter, founder of SOS in Scotland, is urging organisations to display posters and set up collection points on their premises.

Some of the Ayrshire businesses already lending their vital support are – Paper Roses, Cove Boutique, Apollo Blinds, Just Sew, Memory Lane/Kadikoi Bar, all in Kilmarnock; Asda and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency in Ayr, Basix Gym in Irvine, the Sweetie Shop in Maybole, Ayrshire Media Services in Troon, and Pink Fish Solutions who printed campaign posters free of charge.

South Ayrshire Council is also offering free access to a range of activities and the Dick Institute in Kilmarnock is selling a range of SOS wristbands and badges.

The RAFA Club in Prestwick allowed SOS to hold a pack and wrap night on Friday. Volunteers on the night helped to make up a phenomenal 233 parcels to be shipped off to the men and women serving in conflict zones.

A delighted Agnes said: "That's more than double the amount we normally manage with the same number of volunteers.

"Normally, pack and wrap nights take place around every three months or so but we anticipate having to organise another within the next two to three weeks."

Among the volunteers who arrived to help out on Friday were Provost Winifred Sloan, Councillor John McDowall, and Private John Devlin of the 6th Battalion Royal Scottish Regiment.

Agnes's son Scott, who is about to leave for his second tour of duty, also lent a hand as did musicians Billy and Mick who have dedicated their song 'Lead the Way' to the campaign .

In addition, a raffle raised over £100 which will go towards the SOS drop-in centre at Yeomanry House. SOS also had a stand at the Glasgow Show at the weekend that raised another £300.

Agnes added: "So far the reaction to the campaign has been great. We just don't have the manpower to go around knocking on doors.”

Check SOS’s progress on www.supportoursoldiers.co.uk

SO . . . how do you help?

Bring along any of the items listed below to one of the collection points.

You will find collection points at the offices of the Ayrshire Post, High Street, Ayr; Kilmarnock Standard, Portland Street, Kilmarnock; and Irvine Herald, Bank Street, Irvine.

The Ayrshire Extra newspaper and West Sound radio, both in Ayr, are also participating.

East Ayrshire Council and South Ayrshire Council have their own collection points.

Here is a list of suggested parcel items:

Toiletries: toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, roll-on deodorant, razors, shaving gel, talcum powder, foot powder, cotton buds, wet/moist wipes, tissues, lip salve, travel wash, sanitary protection.

Savoury snacks: Pringles, crisps, nuts, pork scratchings, beef jerky, savoury rice, noodles, oatcakes, crackers, stock cubes, packet soups.

Sweet snacks: fruit/cereal bars, fruit flakes, dried fruit, shortbread, small cakes, biscuits, small tins fruit, packets custard, evaporated milk, condensed milk.

Confectionery: travel sweets, toffee, fudge, Mars Bars, chocolate raisins, chocolate peanuts, energy sweets, Love Hearts etc, fruit pastilles, lollipops, mints, chewing gum.

Clothing: socks/undies, t-shirts, underwear. Recreation: paperback books, magazines, puzzle books, sport programmes, playing cards, travel games, jigsaws, pens, pencils, notebooks, artists paints, sketch books, batteries.

Pharmacy: Imodium, Rennie, Paracetamol, plasters, insect repellent, sun screen.

Misc.: boot laces, safety matches, greetings cards, messages of support.

The key is to keep items small and lights as they are packed into shoeboxes which are weight and size restricted. Small/travel sizes are handier rather than family/bulk packs.