BROTHERS IN ARMS
Mum sends ‘morale packs’ to sons’ peace-keeping unit
A MOTHER whose sons have served a total of 54 years in the same battalion is fundraising to send “morale parcels” for their unit’s six-month deployment to West Africa.
John, Erik and David Rawdon joined 2nd Battalion the Royal Anglians as teenagers, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Now – while Erik, 35, stays in the UK – John, 38, and David, 31, are heading to war-torn Mali as UN peacekeepers.
Appreciate
Their mum Melanie Norman wants to equip their unit with 4lb boxes of personal items.
She said: “It’s showing some respect for the whole regiment. It just gives them a little bit of a morale boost and reminds them people appreciate what they’re doing.”
The mission will see troops doing lengthy patrols by Land Rover.
Shop worker Melanie, 59, of Horncastle, Lincs said: “They will be living off their vehicles for weeks in 40-45C [104F to 113F] heat.
“The morale boxes are filled with things they will take out with them but which are not readily available to buy in Africa.” She is
sending shower gel, deodorant soap and toothbrushes, plus chewing gum, sweets, fizzy vitamin tablets and biscuits.
Magazines, luxury teabags, hot chocolate and coffee are also on the wanted list.
Melanie added: “In the regiment it’s not just them as brothers it’s also the other lads they eat, sleep, work and play with. The whole group are a Band of Brothers and they all look out for each other.
“I launched a fundraising appeal and have already received generous offers.
“But obviously the more we get the more we can send.”
Her other son William, 25, a property developer, and nurse daughter Odette, 28, are helping with the support packs.
●●To support the regiment, visit: justgiving.com/ crowdfunding/ soldiercarepackages