A HUSBAND and wife team who help pack and send shoeboxes of gifts to troops in Afghanistan have been sent replies thanking them for their efforts.
Chris and Sherian Webster, of Chaddesden, pack snacks, books and DVDs into each of the parcels.
Then they send them across the globe to give serving soldiers a present to unwrap on Christmas day.
The couple, of Sunny Grove, have been collecting and sending the parcels for 18 months, initially working with charity Afghan Heroes, but this year they have done the whole thing themselves.
Last year, the pair sent out just over 400 boxes. This year they have gathered more than 700.
The 38-year-old said: "We have had a few replies from some of the soldiers who have received the packages.
"It's really satisfying to know we have made a difference."
Senior aircraftman John Massey, from North Wales wrote to the couple after receiving a parcel.
He said: "I hope you are all doing well, I'd like to start off by thanking you for your generosity with the parcels you send out so selflessly to me and the rest of the lads out here in Bastion. People say it all the time but I doubt they can actually imagine how much it means to each of us knowing there are people back home thinking of us at this time of year."
William Cunningham, serving aboard the HMS Ramsey, said: "Thank you so much for the two shoe boxes I've received recently.
"You have no idea what a smile it can bring to your face to receive some unexpected mail, especially when that mail is full of goodies.
"I have shared the contents with my fellow sailors as we do and everyone is very grateful."
