The War Store

ARMY mum Rhiannon Manning sits in her garage piled high with food and basic supplies - to send our desperately under-funded heroes in Afghanistan.

Furious Rhiannon is posting 30 boxes a week to the frontline after learning they are having to live without essentials like SOAP and TOOTHPASTE.

She set up a campaign to collect as many items on the troops' wishlist as she could after getting desperate phone calls about the situation from her Rifleman son Arfon Thomas, 20.

Son ... rifleman Arfon Thomas

Supporters send toiletries, food such as Pot Noodles and other basics. Rhiannon and hubby Andy sort them into shoeboxes in their garage in Biggin Hill, Kent.

The lack of supplies is revealed days after we launched our "Don't You Know There's A Bloody War On?" campaign demanding a better deal for troops in Afghanistan.

It follows revelations of shortages of kit, helicopters and safe armoured vehicles.

Rhiannon, 40, said: "My son went in June and I found out there was nothing out there. They were having to share or go without.

"It's not just his regiment, but in general."

Gifts ... treats that will be sent to Our Boys

Blasting the Government's lack of support, she said: "If you expect these guys to go to war they should have soap and toothpaste. They should be looked after."

Rhiannon began by sending weekly parcels to Arfon and his 4 Rifles comrades in Nad-e-Ali, Helmand. She now has 600 Facebook supporters and a network of helpers. She said she gets constant pleas for socks which wear thin on harsh daily patrols.

Rhiannon added: "They have no money out there and no shops. I shouldn't have to do this. But no one else is going to help. It's down to the families and the British public to bail them out.

"It's a huge boost to morale when they get the parcels. But it irks me when you hear other troops like the Americans are better looked after."

Arfon is home from his six-month tour next month. But Rhiannon vowed: "I won't stop."

An MoD spokesman said last night: "Toiletries are a personal responsibility and are available from NAAFI outlets in main bases to purchase prior to deploying to more austere bases."

a.crick@the-sun.co.uk

Posted by: Grace