North Wiltshire MP James Gray paid a visit to the British Forces Post Office Headquarters last week in his capacity as Patron of the uK4u Thanks! charity to oversee the final stages of ‘Operation Christmas Box’.

Mr Gray said: “the charity, established in 2005, provides a morale boosting Gift Box to all unaccompanied UK military personnel when on operational activities overseas on Christmas Day each year, the contents of which are selected by members of the MOD Christmas Box Committee.

At the height of the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, 24,500 boxes were produced and sent out to operational troops across the globe and since 2005 over 231,000 boxes have been produced. It really is a phenomenal achievement.

The role of the BFPO has grown in the last decade to distribute the boxes around the world, this year delivering to 67 countries. It was wonderful to see Operation Christmas Box in action, boxed up and ready to arrive with our troops in time for Christmas and I am so thankful to the BFPO, without whom this venture would not be possible.”