Ayr, Carrick and Cumnock MP Welcomes Free Post for Armed Forces

Sandra Osborne MP has welcomed the announcement by the MOD that a new deal has been agreed between the Ministry of Defence and Royal Mail to continue the free postal service to Armed Forces personnel serving in Afghanistan and Iraq.

The deal will see the cost of the free parcel scheme being shared jointly by Royal Mail and the British Forces Post Office (BFPO). Relatives and friends can take parcels weighing up to two kilograms to any of the UK’s Post Office branches for onward posting to troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as Royal Navy ships in the region.

It is expected that the free service will continue as long as British forces are serving in these areas.

Sandra said:
‘The free service has proved extremely popular with families of those serving overseas and provides a vital lifeline of support to our servicemen and women. In the run up to Christmas around 100,000 parcels a week have been sent free of postage to around 14,000 frontline personnel, providing them with gifts, non-perishable food items and home comforts.

I want to pay particular tribute to local woman Mrs Agnes Hunter who has campaigned tirelessly for the free parcels while at the same time sending countless donations of Christmas parcels.  This has had a tremendous effect in raising morale in these areas of conflict. I have been pleased to help Agnes in her campaign at a Westminster level   and I am proud of what she has achieved for the whole of the UK. From now on free parcels will be available throughout the year and not just at Christmas.  Agnes truly deserves a medal.’